OUTCOME OF INTRALESIONAL CURETTAGE WITH ADJUVANTS FOR LOW-GRADE CHONDROSARCOMA OF THE BONE

Abstract

Chondrosarcomas are malignant neoplasms that form an exclusively chondroid matrix. These generally slow-growing cartilage-based tumors most commonly occur in patients between 30 and 60 years old.

In this article, we describe our retrospective clinical study, performed on 21 patients (11 males and 10 females) who were affected by conventional chondrosarcoma (Grade 1) and underwent surgery between 1997 and 2008. The patients’ average age was 45,5 (29 to 71 years old) with an average follow-up of 68,4 months.

All low grade chondrosarcomas were treated with curettage, phenolization and reconstruction with acrylic bone cement.

Assessment of the limb functional recovery in treated patients has been performed through the Musculoskeletal Tumour Society scoring system (MSTS).

Patients’ average score six months after surgery was 76, 4% (between 61% and 87%) - low scores were reported in four patients following to complications (three fractures and one local recurrence).

Another evalutation has been carried out through the MSTS scoring system at the end of our study, showing a value improvement, with an average score of 79.9% (between 63.3% and 88%).

In conclusion, we see large intralesional curettage with chemical adjuvants (phenol and polimetilmetacrilate) as an effective treatment for low-grade chondrosarcoma of bones, allowing for a better patients’ compliance and a faster functional recovery. It is important, however, to prepare a surgical strategy according to the results of an accurate biopsy and a correct interpretation of the radiological imaging.