WHAT LOCATIONS IN THE BODY ARE CHONDROSARCOMA TUMORS FOUND?

Chondrosarcoma can be located in the body anywhere cartilage is found. The adult human skeleton has 202 to 206 bones, most of which have cartilage. Though some locations are more common than others. Most are commonly found in the pelvis, rib cage, arms, and legs.Although any bone can be affected, the long bones (legs, arms) pelvis and shoulder blades are the most common. While the face and skull are generally unaffected, it is not unheard of. Occasionally chondrosarcoma has been found in the spine, fingers or toes. It is extremely rare to find chondrosarcoma in any internal organs. If Chondrosarcoma metastasizes, it most frequently spreads to the lung.

Skull:

If Chondrosarcoma is found in the skull it is usually found in the skull base, beneath the brain, or near the orbit of the eye, or behind the sinus cavity, occasionally in the jaw. 

See this list for doctors qualified to treat chondrosarcoma of the skull.


See this list of Otolaryngologist/Ent Surgeons who can treat chondrosarcoma of the sinus cavity or larynx


Neck:

If Chondrosarcoma is found in the region of the neck, it can be located in the cartilage of the larynx, (hyoid or cricoid) or the cervical spine.

Arms:

Chondrosarcoma is more frequently found in the upper arm, (the humerus). It is less frequently found in the forearm where two bones are located, 9the ulna and the radius). Very seldom is it found in the hand or fingers.

Legs:

Chondrosarcoma can be found in the upper leg, (thigh bone) medically known as the femur. If the tumor is located high up on the femur near the joint of the pelvis, people often mistakenly say the tumor is in the hip. This area is called the proximal femur. The lower part of the thigh bone is called the distal femur.

The part of the leg that is below the knee has two bones in it, called the fibula and tibia. Chondrosarcoma is located here less often than the femur. Again, the upper parts of these bones are called the proximal and the lower part is called the distal. It is very seldom found in the foot.

Spine:
Chondrosarcoma can be located in any of the vertebrae from the neck all the way down to the tail bone.

Trunk of body:
 
There are many bones that make up the trunk of the body. Chondrosarcoma can be found in almost any of them. Some locations are less affected than others.

Scapula (shoulder blade)
Clavicle (collarbone)
Sternum (holds the rib cage together)
Ribs
Pelvis (made up of ilium, ischium, pubis and acetabulum) 


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What about Radiation and Chemotherapy for Chondrosarcoma?

Radiation and Chemotherapy are not common methods of treatment for Chondrosarcoma. Only rarely are radiation and chemotherapy used on a patient with Chondrosarcoma. The decision to do so, depends on the advanced staging of the tumor and the type. More aggressive forms of Chondrosarcoma are given the designation of Stage III and Stage IV. If it is considered to be an aggressive or advanced chondrosarcoma, chemotherapy or radiation may be considered as part of the treatment plan.
If you are not being treated by a Musculoskeletal Oncologist (Bone Tumor Specialist) question your doctor as to why one is not included in your medical care, Ask why radiation or chemotherapy is being offered and what medical evidence there is for usefulness of such treatment for chondrosarcoma. Ask if you are being offered radiation or chemotherapy as part of a research protocol.
Very rarely, if the Chondrosarcoma is dedifferentiated, then radiation therapy, or chemotherapy to reduce the tumor size may be followed by surgery to remove the cancer.
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be taken by mouth in the form of a pill, or it may be put into the body by a needle in a vein or muscle. Chemotherapy is called a systemic treatment because the drugs enter the bloodstream, travel through the body, and can kill cancer cells throughout the body.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may be given before surgery or following surgery, if the surgeon is unable to remove adequate tissue surrounding the tumor. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external radiation therapy) or from putting materials that produce radiation (radioisotopes) through thin plastic tubes into the area where the cancer cells are found (internal radiation therapy)