The radiologist's role in the management of chondrosarcoma

The decision whether to call a slowly growing chondrosarcoma of a long bone benign or malignant is difficult for the pathologist, who must consider the location of the biopsy sample as well as the microscopic findings. The radiologist examining the mineralization of the lesion may also have a difficult time arriving at a prognosis. The author suggests that calcific rings within a cartilaginous tumor may be a sign of a low-grade lesion. On observing such a finding, it is necessary to determine whether or not the lesion is invading the surrounding bone or cartilage. If the lesion is unmistakably malignant, or even if there is any question, it must be excised in its entirety, as curettage is not sufficient to halt the spread of tumor. In most cases the radiologist will have a better chance of assessing possible malignancy than the pathologist, particularly if distinction between benign and low-grade malignant tumor is involved.