Can chondroblastoma become malignant?

Can chondroblastoma become malignant?

Aggressiveness in chondroblastoma can be subdivided into three types; malignant chondroblastoma, benign chondroblastoma with lung metastasis and benign chondroblastoma with subsequent development of high-grade malignancy. Subsequent development of malignancy is common in post-irradiation cases.

What is a chondroblastoma?

A chondroblastoma is a rare type of noncancerous bone tumor that begins in cartilage. This is the tough, rubbery connective tissue from which most bones develop. It plays an important role in the growth process. There are many different types of cartilage in the body.

Where are Chondroblastomas most commonly located in bone?

Most chondroblastomas are found close to the knee joint—either at the lower end of the femur (thighbone) or the upper end of the tibia (shinbone). They are also found in the shoulder at the top of the humerus (upper arm bone).

Can a chondroblastoma metastasis?

Although a chondroblastoma is considered a benign tumor, it has the potential to spread (metastasize) to the lungs. Metastasis is rare, occurring in less than 1 percent of cases.

What do bright spots on a bone scan mean?

Bone scans are used primarily to detect the spread of metastatic cancer. Because cancer cells multiply rapidly, they will appear as a hot spot on a bone scan. This is due to the increased bone metabolism and bone repair in the area of the cancer cells.

Is chondroblastoma inherited?

Currently, the genetic or environmental factors that predispose an individual for chondroblastoma are not well known or understood. Chondroblastoma affects males more often than females at a ratio of 2:1 in most clinical reports.

Is osteochondroma a malignant bone tumor?

An osteochondroma is a benign (noncancerous) tumor that develops during childhood or adolescence. It is an abnormal growth that forms on the surface of a bone near the growth plate.

What is the common site of giant cell tumor in long bones?

While most bone tumors occur in the flared area near the ends of the body’s long bones (metaphysis), giant cell tumors occur almost exclusively in the end portion of the long bones (epiphysis), directly next to the joints.

Are bone tumors hard or soft?

It appears as a hard, painless, stationary lump at the end of a bone, with a cartilage cap that allows it to continue to grow. A surgeon can remove this tumor if it begins to cause pain or if the bone is in danger of fracturing.

What kind of imaging is used for chondroblastoma?

The preferred modalities for evaluation of chondroblastomas are standard radiography and either computed tomography (CT) scanning or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). [ 14, 15, 16, 17] Underexposed radiographs may fail to depict a chondroblastoma.

Is there such a thing as a chondroblastoma?

A chondroblastoma is a rare benign cartilaginous neoplasm that characteristically arises in the epiphysis of a long bone in young patients.Chondroblastomas account for less than 2% of all bone tumors, and metaphyseal or diaphyseal chondroblastoma occurs in only 2% of all cases of chondroblastoma.

Where does a chondroblastoma occur in the humeral head?

This image shows a chondroblastoma in the humeral head. Approximately 10% of all chondroblastomas occur in the small bones of the hands and feet; the talus and calcaneus are common sites (see the following image). Plain radiograph of the talus in a 12-year-old boy.

Where does calcium deposition occur in a chondroblastoma?

Calcium deposition surrounding the chondroblasts, which are typically polyhedral shape, results in typical “chicken-wire calcification” ( pathognomonic ) 7,10. Chondroblastomas most frequently arise in the epiphyses of long bones, with 70% occurring in the humerus (most frequent), femur and tibia 9.