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Chondrosarcoma (Bone Cancer)

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What Is Chondrosarcoma?

Chondrosarcoma is the third most common type of bone cancer to come from bone itself.

It mostly begins in the:

  • Pelvis
  • Thigh bones (femurs)
  • Arm bones (humeri)

Chondrosarcoma causes and risk factors

Chondrosarcoma mainly affects middle aged and older adults.

People with an increased risk for chondrosarcoma include those with the following conditions:

  • Maffucci syndrome
  • Multiple hereditary exostoses
  • Ollier disease
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Chondrosarcoma Symptoms and Diagnosis

In most cases, people with chondrosarcoma do not feel sick.

They may have pain with activities, which generally gets worse and affects sleep. Others experience fractures.

Chondrosarcoma diagnostic tests

Doctors often take an x-ray to first assess a bone tumor.

It can be hard to discern a benign bone tumor from a chondrosarcoma with an x-ray only, so your doctor may order other tests such as:

  • Bone scans
  • CT scans
  • MRI scans
  • Bone biopsy
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Chondrosarcoma Treatment

Our doctors from the musculoskeletal oncology program at UPMC Orthopaedic Care will use the results of the biopsy and imaging studies to develop your treatment plan.

In most cases, surgery alone to remove the tumor is the standard treatment for chondrosarcoma. 

Learn More About Chondrosarcoma and Bone Cancer

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