A chondroma is a benign cartilaginous

tumor A neoplasm () is a type of abnormal and excessive growth of tissue. The process that occurs to form or produce a neoplasm is called neoplasia. The growth of a neoplasm is uncoordinated with that of the normal surrounding tissue, and persists ...

, which is encapsulated with a lobular growing pattern. Tumor cells (

chondrocytes Chondrocytes (, from Greek χόνδρος, ''chondros'' = cartilage + κύτος, ''kytos'' = cell) are the only cells found in healthy cartilage. They produce and maintain the cartilaginous matrix, which consists mainly of collagen and prote ...

, cartilaginous cells) resemble normal cells and produce the cartilaginous matrix (amorphous, basophilic material).

Presentation

Characteristic features of this tumor include the vascular axes within the tumor, which make the distinction with normal

hyaline cartilage Hyaline cartilage is the glass-like (hyaline) and translucent cartilage found on many joint surfaces. It is also most commonly found in the ribs, nose, larynx, and trachea. Hyaline cartilage is pearl-gray in color, with a firm consistency and h ...

Diagnosis

Classification

Based upon location, a chondroma can be described as an

enchondroma Enchondroma is a type of benign bone tumor belonging to the group of cartilage tumors. There may be no symptoms, or it may present typically in the short tubular bones of the hands with a swelling, pain or pathological fracture. Diagnosis is ...

or ecchondroma. * enchondroma - tumor grows within the bone and expands it * ecchondroma - grows outward from the bone (rare)

Treatment

- best left alone - if it causes fractures (enchondroma) or is unsightly it should be removed by

curettage Curettage ( or ), in medical procedures, is the use of a curette (French, meaning scoop Mosby's Medical, Nursing & Allied Health Dictionary, Fourth Edition, Mosby-Year Book 1994, p. 422) to remove tissue by scraping or scooping. Curettages ar ...

and the defect filled with

bone graft Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that replaces missing bone in order to repair bone fractures that are extremely complex, pose a significant health risk to the patient, or fail to heal properly. Some small or acute fractures can be cured wit ...

References

External links