What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Enchondroma

What is Chondroma? (Definition/Background Information)

• Chondroma is a benign bone tumor, or in medical terminology “an intraosseous tumor of hyaline cartilage”. It is a fairly common tumor observed in adults and is also known as Enchondroma
• The tumor can involve any bone in the body. However, the most common ones include the bones of the hands and feet. Humerus, femur, and other long bones can also be involved. When the tumor involves the fingers or toes, enlargement of the affected digits is noted
• Chondroma can occur sporadically (meaning, no family history is observed), or be present as part of a syndrome. When the tumor occurs in the background of a syndrome, it is often referred to as syndromic Chondroma, else it is termed sporadic Chondroma
• A vast majority of the tumors are small and asymptomatic. The tumor is usually painless and discovered incidentally during radiological studies that are undertaken for other unrelated conditions
• Large tumors are more likely to cause bone pain. The presence of a Chondroma can weaken the bone resulting in easy fractures, called pathologic fractures. In such cases, the healthcare provider may undertake suitable treatments for the condition
• The treatment measures may involve a ‘wait and watch’ approach, or surgical excision, when needed. In most cases, the prognosis of sporadic Chondroma is excellent; while, the outcomes for syndromic Chondroma is dependent upon the underlying condition

Who gets Chondroma? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Chondroma tumors can occur at any age; both children and adults are affected
• The most common age group wherein the tumor is discovered incidentally on radiological studies is during the 3rd and 4th decade (between ages 21 and 40 years)
• Males and females are known to get the tumors in equal proportion. No gender predominance is reported across several studies
• The tumor is observed in all racial and ethnic groups worldwide

What are the Risk Factors for Chondroma? (Predisposing Factors)

The common risk factors for Chondroma include:

• Syndromic Chondroma is associated with Maffucci syndrome and Ollier disease (genetic conditions)
  • In both syndromes, the tumors occur in multiple bones (multiple enchondromas)
  • Maffucci syndrome is often associated with cavernous hemangiomas, while Ollier disease is not associated with them
• Risk factors for sporadic tumors are unidentified

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases one’s chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Chondroma? (Etiology)

• The exact cause of Chondroma tumor development is unknown. Experts believe the tumor arises due to abnormalities in bone growth during fetal development
• The incidence of these tumors is not known, since a vast majority of them remain undiagnosed. Approximately 5% of all bone tumors and 16% of all cartilage tumors are reportedly Chondromas

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Chondroma?

The signs and symptoms of Chondroma may depend on the location of the tumors and may include:

• Occasionally the tumor can cause bone pain; in some, the pain can be severe
• if the bones are weakened by the tumors, it can result in easy fracture of the involved bone (pathologic fracture), due to reduced mechanical bone strength

How is Chondroma Diagnosed?

Chondroma may be diagnosed by the following observations and tests:

• X-ray of the affected bone 
• MRI of the affected bone 
• CT-scan of the affected region
• Radionuclide bone scans; bone scans can help rule out fractures and bone infections
• A differential diagnosis to eliminate other tumor types should be considered before arriving at a definitive diagnosis. The differential diagnosis may include: 
  • Low-grade chondrosarcoma
  • Healed fracture site
  • Bone infections

Note: On radiological studies, the tumors appear as “hot spots”.

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Chondroma?

• In vast majority of cases, there are no significant complications observed from Chondroma
• Complications may arise from the presence of an underlying syndrome, if any
• Occasionally, infection of the surgical site in individuals who undergo surgery to remove the tumor

How is Chondroma Treated?

• The treatment of Chondroma is determined by a variety of factors including:
  • The individual’s age
  • Overall health condition
  • Presence of underlying syndromes, if any
• Asymptomatic tumors may not require any treatment; close monitoring is often adequate. Reassuring the individual is also very helpful
• In symptomatic cases, the tumor can be treated with bone curettage (tumor removal by scraping the bone)
• Large tumors may require bone grafting
• Treatment is needed for underlying syndromes, if present

How can Chondroma be Prevented?

• Currently, it is not possible to prevent Chondroma tumor formation
• Individuals with underlying conditions, such as Maffucci syndrome or Ollier disease, may be closely monitored including ordered regular imaging scans, as necessary, by the healthcare provider

What is the Prognosis of Chondroma? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

• The prognosis is excellent in majority of cases upon complete removal/bone curettage, especially for tumors that are sporadic. Although, in a vast majority of individuals, no treatment is generally required
• If the tumor is associated with an underlying syndrome, then the overall prognosis depends on the severity of signs and symptoms of the underlying syndrome (Maffucci syndrome or Ollier disease)

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Chondroma:

Please visit our Cancer & Benign Tumor Health Center for more physician-approved health information:

http://www.dovemed.com/diseases-conditions/cancer/