Chondroblastoma

Chondroblastoma
Classification and external resources
Micrograph of a chondroblastoma. H&E stain.
ICD-10	C40-C41
ICD-O:	9230
DiseasesDB	31489
eMedicine	radio/164 orthoped/469
MeSH	D002804

Chondroblastoma is a rare bone tumor, usually benign with a slow-growing nature.

In children, it is the most common epiphyseal tumor.^[1]

Presentation

It originates from chondroblasts, hence the name. It occurs in about 1% of bone tumors in the United States. Typically, it causes muscle deterioration, decreased movement in joints and pain. Found in patients from the age of 3-73. Also known as CODMAN'S TUMOR.

Prognosis

Without surgical extirpation, the tumor may extend into distant organs. Metastasis is very unusual and usually involves the lungs and tends to occur at the time of primary tumor recurrence. Relatively high rate of tumor recurrence (10-35%) has been reported for chondroblastomas.

Treatment

Chondroblastoma is usually treated by curettage and insertion of bone graft. Surgery is needed. Another treatment that is far less invasive and has less recovery time is radiofrequency ablation.

References

• Chondroblastoma, by Bonnie P Fines, MD, at e-medicine
• Chondroblastoma, by Hannah D Morgan, MD at e-medicine