Chondrosarcoma Questions
What's the difference between healthy bone and Chondrosarcoma?In order to understand what chondrosarcoma is, it is useful to know about normal bone tissue.
What is normal bone tissue?
Bone is the supporting framework of the body. Bones support and protect internal organs, and act as levers and braces for muscles to produce movement. Bone itself is very hard and strong. For example: it takes as much as 1200 to 1800 pounds of pressure to break a healthy femur (thigh bone).
A medical word for bone is osteo.
Although bone appears to be unchanging, that is not actually the case. New bone is constantly forming, and old bone is constantly dissolving.
The bone itself contains two kinds of cells to perform these functions. New bone tissue is formed by cells called osteoblasts. The cells that dissolve bone are called osteoclasts. Bone is very actively regenerating itself regardless of age. Although new formation is less active after age thirty five.
Most bones are not made of solid bone all the way through. Adult bones are made up of three types of tissue called compact, cancellous and subchondral.
What is compact bone tissue?
Compact tissue is the hard outer portion of most bones called the periosteum. This outer part consists of fibrous tissue which creates the matrix (base) onto which calcium is deposited. This is the most solid part of the bone because of the calcium build up.
What is cancellous bone tissue?
Cancellous tissue is the spongy part inside the bones that contains bone marrow. Most people think of this part of the bone as "hollow." But, it is not hollow. The marrow of some bones consists only of fatty tissue. The marrow of other bones is a mixture of fat cells and blood-forming cells where the different blood cells, are created and stored until ready to move into the bloodstream. Surgery on the bone, if deep enough, can cause bleeding from this area and result in hemorrhage or anemia. There are some other cells in the marrow, too.
What is subchondral tissue?
Subchondral tissue is the smooth bone tissue of the joints. A layer of cartilage covers subchondral tissue at each end of the bone in order to cushion the movement of joints. Together with ligaments and some other tissues, subchondral tissue forms the joints between bones.
Cartilage does not contain calcium. It consists of a fibrous tissue mixed with a gel-like substance.
What is abnormal bone growth?
Abnormal bone growth can result in bone tumors. There are several different types. The names are based on the area of bone or surrounding tissue that is affected, and the kind of cells forming the tumor. Some primary bone tumors are benign (not cancerous).
Benign bone tumors:
Benign bone tumors do not spread to other tissues and organs, and are not life-threatening. They are generally treated by surgery if they are causing any problems with surrounding tissue. Types of benign bone tumors include osteoma, osteoid osteoma, osteoblastoma, osteochondroma, (also known as exostoses), enchondroma, hemangioma, and chondromyxoid fibroma.
There are other types of malignant bone tumors aside from chondrosarcoma that are also sarcomas. Sarcomas are cancers that mostly develop from bone, cartilage, muscle, fibrous tissue, fatty tissue, or nerve tissue and are identified according to which tissue is rapidly growing.
Go on to question #2 What is Chondrosarcoma?
This site was created in loving memory of Raj A. Megha.
Disclaimer:
This material should not be used as a basis for treatment decisions, and is not a substitute for professional consultation. It is further recommended that patients and laypersons looking for guidance among the sources of this webpage are strongly advised to review the information with their professional health care provider.Last updated: 2008