A Patient's Guide to Chondrosarcoma

What are the possible risks of developing Chondrosarcoma?

It is not contagious. It cannot be passed on to another person by exposure to a chondrosarcoma patient. Although scientists are not certain what causes chondrosarcoma, a number of factors may put a person at increased risk.

Certain hereditary or genetic conditions are a bit more likely to develop Chondrosarcoma, than those who do not have these conditions. Ollier's disease, and Maffucci Syndrome are caused by gene mutations and are not hereditary. Multiple Osteochondromatosis (AKA Multiple Exostoses) is hereditary. People affected by these conditions are more susceptible because they already have existing benign bone tumors (sometimes mistakenly called bone spurs) which have a chance of becoming malignant. People with these conditions, who experience sudden growth spurts, or increases in hormone production, such as pregnancy, have an increased possibility of a primary benign bone tumor changing into a Chondrosarcoma.

There are other rare conditions which more often pre-dispose to Osteosarcoma. But, some cases are known to have developed Chondrosarcoma. These are the following.

Retinoblastoma, which is a cancer of the eye, often affects children much more than adults.

Li-Fraumeni, a hereditary syndrome, runs in families where a high percentage of different kinds of cancers occur. These families can be tested. If they do so, and learn which family members test positive, they can be followed closely by their physicians. If they develop a cancer, it can be detected earlier than if they do not receive regular check ups.

Rothmund-Thompson syndrome is a rare condition in itself and there is some occasions of an extremely rare occurrence of Chondrosarcoma.

Those with Paget's disease is a non-cancerous condition characterized by abnormal development of new bone cells in adults. Those with this condition are at increased risk for osteosarcoma or chondrosarcoma.

There are Chondrosarcoma patients who do not have any of these above conditions. Some researchers have reported that a previous traumatic injury to the bone have been a possible suspected cause for Chondrosarcoma, but so far this idea is not entirely scientifically accepted, though there are often medical articles discussing Chondrosarcoma developing at sites of previous healed fracture.

Some evidence exists that environmental exposure can pre-dispose a person to chondrosarcoma. An example of this known possibility is exposure to known carcinogenic chemicals. There is a question of gardening chemicals such as Agent Orange, also.

People who have previously had radiation are prone to develop Chondrosarcoma, also.

Recently, chromosomes in the genes have been shown to have specific locations where the genetic information for chondrosarcoma resides. Continuing research of the genes and how the proteins encode for them will give tremendous insight into the growth of cells. This information is important since chondrosarcoma is a problem with the growth of cells. Understanding the gene and the function of its protein might eventually provide the knowledge leading to better treatment. Some researchers feel there actually may be hopes that genetic manipulations could treat or prevent chondrosarcoma which may be possible in the future.

The gene mapping studies will serve as the basis for the testing of patients at risk for chondrosarcoma. Information from this kind of testing could lead to the prevention of the development of Chondrosarcoma. And it is hoped that physicians could be equipped to perform such tests in the future.

Go on to question #4 What are the symptoms of Chondrosarcoma?

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This site was created in loving memory of Raj A. Megha.

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