Is chondrosarcoma cancer?

Written by Peng Li Bo
Oncology
Updated on September 18, 2024
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Chondrosarcoma is broadly cancer, but in medical terms, we wouldn’t necessarily phrase it that way; we simply describe chondrosarcoma as a type of malignant tumor, and currently, its treatment outcomes are not very good. Generally, when we talk about cancer, we’re referring to malignant tumors that originate from epithelial tissue, including cancers like stomach cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, and liver cancer, which all derive from epithelial tissues. However, because chondrosarcoma originates from mesenchymal tissue, which includes muscle, cartilage, blood vessels, and nerves, malignant tumors that occur in these areas are usually called sarcomas. Sarcomas are definitely malignant, but to strictly call them cancer is not particularly precise.

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Postoperative recurrence symptoms of osteosarcoma

Symptoms of recurrent osteosarcoma after surgery are generally consistent with the symptoms before the initial surgery. The main symptoms include: Firstly, localized pain, which is persistent, progressive, and does not alleviate, including pain that worsens at night. Secondly, localized swelling, which usually occurs around the surgical site if limb-sparing surgery was performed, or at the stump if amputation was done. Thirdly, the appearance of systemic cachexia and symptoms of metastasis. Systemic cachexia typically includes weight loss, anemia, fatigue, and loss of appetite. For osteosarcoma, metastasis primarily targets the lungs, where numerous cancerous shadows can be detected. Thus, the main recurrent symptoms of osteosarcoma after surgery include pain, swelling, and cachexia.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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What is osteosarcoma?

Firstly, osteosarcoma is a common type of malignant tumor, characterized by a mechanism that produces bone-like tissue. It has multiple subtypes and can also develop into a secondary osteosarcoma. Secondly, it commonly occurs in adolescents. Thirdly, it typically affects the proximal femur, distal tibia, and proximal humerus. Fourthly, common osteosarcomas are generally spindle-shaped, often located near joints. The surface may have elevated skin temperature and sometimes superficial vein distension is apparent. It often involves the entire bone, including the periosteum, cortical bone, and bone cavity. Generally, the tumor appears as a very fine greyish-white or brownish-red fish-flesh-like change. Osteosarcoma is a malignant tumor and is particularly prone to lung metastasis. According to tumor staging, it is at least stage IIB, indicating that it should be detected, diagnosed, and treated early. The earlier the treatment, the better the outcome and the higher the five-year survival rate.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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What are the symptoms of osteosarcoma?

The main symptom of osteosarcoma is localized pain, primarily at the distal end of the femur, the proximal end of the tibia, and the proximal end of the humerus. This pain tends to worsen continuously, with nighttime pain often more severe than during the day, which is a significant characteristic of osteosarcoma. The second symptom is the presence of a local mass, which is often spindle-shaped and generally located near a joint. This mass often leads to limited joint mobility, and the skin over the mass typically has a high temperature. Sometimes, it may also be accompanied by visible swelling of superficial veins. The third symptom involves systemic cachexia, which includes unexplained weight loss, generalized weakness, and even an anemic condition. The fourth point pertains to osteolytic osteosarcoma, which often leads to bone destruction, reduced bone strength, and consequently, even minor external forces can cause fractures. These are called pathological fractures. Thus, the symptoms of osteosarcoma generally include these four points.

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Written by Guan Yu Hua
Orthopedic Surgery
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How big do osteosarcomas generally grow?

The size of osteosarcoma is generally difficult to measure. By undergoing radiographic examination, Codman's triangle and bone destruction can be observed in the patient's images, which can be diagnosed as osteosarcoma. Further biopsy is then required. Osteosarcoma typically presents as a mass approximately the size of a fist, and early stages may involve malignant pulmonary metastasis. By conducting a pulmonary CT scan, lesions and metastatic foci can be discovered, primarily indicating bone destruction and the presence of Codman's triangle. Such destruction can deform the normal bone structure, and abnormal masses may be palpable during physical examinations, presenting in irregular shapes. This condition is commonly seen and cannot be evaluated merely by the size of the osteosarcoma. Early stages may involve lung metastasis, progressing to advanced stages where the prognosis is poor and survival rates significantly decrease. Therefore, this disease generally requires early diagnosis and treatment.

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Are osteosarcomas sensitive to radiotherapy and chemotherapy?

Osteosarcoma is generally insensitive to radiotherapy, hence radiation therapy is not used for such diseases in clinical settings. Similarly, these diseases have a moderate sensitivity to chemotherapy, necessitating the use of relatively high doses of chemotherapy during treatment. The main mechanism of chemotherapy involves using a series of cytotoxic drugs to inhibit tumor growth. Although high-dose chemotherapy can effectively kill tumor cells, it can also damage some of the patient's normal cells, leading to severe reactions. If radical surgery is viable for these patients, then curative surgery is the preferred method of treatment.