Primary pulmonary chondrosarcoma: clinical case and review of the literature

Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma is a malignant tumor that arises from cartilage-forming cells and typically affects the bones, but in rare cases also the lungs. Due to its rarity, there is limited knowledge about the clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges, and treatment options for primary pulmonary chondrosarcoma. We conducted a comprehensive literature search through PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Clinical Trial Gov, and Google Scholar using search terms such as "primary pulmonary/lung chondrosarcoma." We also present our case study. In our case, the chondrosarcoma was discovered incidentally during a Computer Tomography (CT) scan. It was located in the middle lobe and was historically characterized as low-grade. After surgical removal, no recurrence was detected during follow-up examination. In the literature reviewed, the most common symptoms of primary pulmonary chondrosarcoma were cough and dyspnea. Radiologic features included well-defined margins, a central location, and calcifications. Histopathological examination revealed either hyaline or myxoid structures, with the myxoid type being more aggressive. Surgical resection is currently the preferred treatment method with a recurrence rate of approximately 21%.Primary pulmonary mesenchymal chondrosarcoma remains a rare and challenging diagnosis, typically presenting with non-specific symptoms. Surgical resection is the primary treatment method. Further research is needed to establish standardized diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols.