Chondrosarcomas can be rapidly invasive or slow-growing and
cause fewer symptoms and seldom spread to other organs and tissues. Several
factors, including Ollier’s disease (multiple benign tumors within bone) and a
rare genetic disorder called Maffucci syndrome, may contribute to disease risk.
Chondrosarcoma symptoms may include:
- Pain (sharp or dull) at the tumor site
- Swelling and/or redness at the tumor site
- Enlargement of pre-existing exotoses (bone
growths)
- Increased pain with activity or lifting
- Limp
- Decreased movement of affect limb
- Urinary obstruction (with pelvic tumors)
Chondrosarcoma treatment for children may include:
- Surgery: Surgery is often a first step, allowing doctors to
form a complete diagnosis of the tumor type and providing information on
the stage of the disease. If your child’s leg or arm is affected, your
child may receive:
- limb-salvage surgery, to help preserve the limb by removing
the chondrosarcoma tumor and wide margins of healthy tissue surrounding the tumor
- rotationplasty, a partial amputation that preserves a
cancer-free lower leg, attaches it to the thighbone and uses the ankle as
a knee joint
- amputation surgery, which in rare cases may be necessary (for
example, if it involves the nerves and blood vessels)
- Head or neck surgery, if the chondrosarcoma is in the head or neck; this involves surgical removal of the tumor and bone/skin grafts.
The type of surgery will depend on the size and location of the tumor, and whether the cancer has spread. At Dana-Farber/Boston Children's, these procedures are performed in the hospital's new state-of-the-art pediatric MR-OR. It allows specialists to take an MRI scan immediately following surgery to ensure the tumor is completely removed and decreases the need for additional surgery.
- Radiation therapy: This treatment can help stop the growth of
abnormal cells in specific areas of the body. Radiation therapy uses
high-energy rays from a specialized machine to damage or kill abnormal
cells. Our doctors use precisely targeted and dosed radiation to kill
cancer cells left behind after your child's surgery.
- Chemotherapy: These medicines can help stop the growth of
abnormal cells throughout the body. Chemotherapy is systemic treatment,
meaning it is introduced to the bloodstream and travels throughout the
body to kill or slow the growth of targeted cells. Different groups of
chemotherapy drugs work in different ways, and can be taken in a variety
of ways including orally or intravenously.
Prognosis for children with chondrosarcoma greatly depends
on:
- the extent of the disease
- the size and location of the tumor
- presence or absence of metastasis
- the tumor's response to therapy
- the age and overall health of your child
- your child's tolerance of specific medications,
procedures or therapies
- new developments in treatment
Every child is unique and treatment and prognosis is
structured around your child's needs. Prompt medical attention and aggressive
therapy are important for the best prognosis.
Survivorship care
Children treated for chondrosarcomas should visit a cancer survivorship clinic every year to:
- manage disease complications
- screen for early recurrence of cancer
- manage late effects of treatment
A typical follow-up visit may include some or all
of the following:
- a physical exam
- laboratory testing
- imaging scans
Through our David B. Perini, Jr. Quality of Life Clinic, childhood cancer survivors receive a comprehensive follow-up evaluation from their cancer care team. In addition to meeting with your pediatric
oncologists, your child may see one of our endocrinologists, cardiologists,
neurologists, neuro-psychologists or alternative/complementary therapy
specialists.