Chondrosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumor in adults over 50 years. Compared to osteosarcoma, a critical difference in its management is:

• A Chondrosarcoma is exquisitely sensitive to conventional chemotherapy
• B Chondrosarcoma is chemo- and radio-resistant; wide surgical excision is the only curative treatment ✓
• C Chondrosarcoma requires neoadjuvant radiotherapy before surgery
• D Chondrosarcoma is treated identically to osteosarcoma with MAP chemotherapy

Explanation

Unlike osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma, conventional chondrosarcoma is notoriously resistant to standard chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The avascularity of cartilaginous matrix limits chemotherapy drug delivery, and the slow cell cycle reduces radio- and chemosensitivity. Wide surgical excision with clear margins is the only curative treatment modality. Local recurrence follows inadequate margins and can result in grade progression. Dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma (a high-grade component arising within conventional chondrosarcoma) has a worse prognosis and some tumors may respond to chemotherapy protocols similar to osteosarcoma.

Reference: Maheshwari Essential Orthopaedics, 6th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.