[Secondary chondrosarcoma]

A retrospective evaluation of 101 cases of secondary chondrosarcoma was performed. The results of the analysis of X-ray data showed chondrosarcoma to develop from osteocartilaginous exostosis or chondroma (53 and 47 cases, respectively). (One case lacked roentgenologic data). The former pattern of tumor development prevailed in patients under 40 years of age, while the latter one was more frequently observed in the older age group (68% of cases in each age bracket). Secondary chondrosarcoma was most frequently localized to long tubular and flat bones (48 and 34 patients, 47.53 and 33.66%, respectively). Roentgenologic diagnosis of early stage secondary chondrosarcoma was extremely difficult. Histologic examination showed degree I cell anaplasia in most cases. Surgery is the main procedure of treatment of secondary chondrosarcoma. Relapses were observed only in patients who had undergone sparing operations. The smaller the extent of surgery, the higher relapse rate was registered. Fifteen patients (14.87%) died of tumor progression. Sparing procedures were performed in 14 of them (93.3%).