Chondroma

Not to be confused with Chordoma.

Chondroma
Lantern slide; Multiple chondromata of fingers. Wellcome L0028445.jpg
Multiple chondromata of fingers

A chondroma is a benign cartilaginous tumor, which is encapsulated with a lobular growing pattern.

Tumor cells (chondrocytes, 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.

Diagnosis

Classification

Based upon location, a chondroma can be described as an enchondroma 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 and the defect filled with bone graft.

See also

• Extraskeletal chondroma

External links

• Photo in Atlas of Pathology

• Multiple chondromata of fingers
  Multiple chondromata of fingers