Methods

The material included all 106 consecutive patients with chondrosarcoma of the chest wall diagnosed in Sweden 1980-2002. Pathological specimens were re-evaluated and graded by the Scandinavian Sarcoma Group pathology board. Files from the very first medical visit for symptoms related to the chondrosarcoma were traced and used to characterise the initial symptoms, calculate patient's and doctor's delay and to identify factors contributing to the delays