Chondromas and chondromatosis (a study of 265 cases, 200 with long term follow up)

265 cases of solitary chondroma, multiple chondromas and chondromatosis were analysed. Two hundred cases had a long term follow up of 1-50 years (average ten years). Recurrence after surgical removal is rare. It is exceptional for malignancy to develop in chondromas of the hand. Malignant degeneration (chondrosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, etc.) was found in 12 per cent of the solitary chondromas and in 32 per cent of the multiple chondromas and chondromatosis involving the bones elsewhere than in the hand. The first of these figures is probably excessive, since many of the solitary chondromas elsewhere than in the hand remain asymptomatic and unrecognised; but the second figure is probably too low, since the risk of sarcomatous degeneration remains present throughout the patient's life.