Chondrosarcoma is one of the more common types of primary bone cancer accounting for about one-quarter of all cases. Chondrosarcoma (see sarcoma) is a cancerous growth of cartilage that can develop within a bone or on its surface. It occurs most frequently within long bones, such as a femur (thigh-bone), tibia (shin), and humerus (upper-arm bone).

 

Chondrosarcoma usually occurs in middle age and may develop from a benign tumor or from a previously normal area of bone. It causes pain, swelling, and, occasionally, tenderness. X-rays shown an abnormal area of bone. The tumor grows slowly and does not spread elsewhere until its later stages, so amputation above the tumor usually results in a permanent culture.

 

Chondrosarcoma is different from an osteosarcoma (cancer of bone cells), which has usually spread to other pars of the bone (e.g., lungs) before it causes any symptoms.