Chondroma Tumors: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options

What is a Chondroma Tumour?

A chondroma is a benign cartilaginous tumour composed of mature hyaline cartilage that develops within bone or soft tissue that develops within bones or soft tissues throughout the body. Grossly, they appear as bluish-white, glistening nodules, often with areas of calcification when examined directly.

Chondromas most frequently involve the small tubular bones of the hands and feet, particularly the phalanges and metacarpals, though they can also develop in larger bones like the humerus (upper arm) or femur (thighbone). Unlike malignant Tumors, a chondroma grows slowly over months or years, often remaining undetected until symptoms appear or incidental discovery during unrelated medical examinations.

Because chondromas are benign, they do not metastasize or invade adjacent soft tissues, though they can cause pressure-related symptoms to other body parts or invade vital organs. However, their growth can compress nearby structures, potentially causing significant symptoms depending on their location and size.

According to a study published in Frontiers in Surgery, the age of onset for chondromas typically ranges from 20 to 60 years, with a peak incidence between 20 and 30 years.

Types of Chondromas

• Enchondroma: The most common type, developing within the bone marrow cavity
• Periosteal chondromas: Tumors forming on the bone's outer surface or border
• Juxtacortical chondromas: Another classification for surface-located Tumors
• Soft tissue chondromas: Masses developing in soft tissues, particularly fingers, hands, toes, and feet
• Cranial chondromas: Tumors occurring in skull base and paranasal sinuses
• Pulmonary chondroma: A rare benign lung lesion sometimes associated with Carney triad (alongside gastric stromal Tumors and paragangliomas)

Causes of Chondroma Tumors

The exact causes of chondroma Tumors remain largely unknown to medical professionals. Unlike many other conditions where specific risk factors are well-established, chondromas appear to develop sporadically without clear predisposing factors.

Most chondromas are sporadic; however, multiple lesions occur in syndromic forms such as Ollier disease (enchondromatosis) and Maffucci syndrome, which may carry a low risk of malignant transformation. They simply occur when cartilage cells begin abnormal growth patterns within bone tissue. However, certain genetic conditions like Ollier disease and Maffucci syndrome can increase the likelihood of developing multiple chondromas throughout the body.

The slow-growing nature of chondromas means they may remain present for extended periods before becoming symptomatic or being discovered during unrelated medical procedures. This characteristic makes determining exact onset timing particularly challenging for doctors.

Symptoms of Chondroma Tumors

Chondromas often remain asymptomatic for considerable periods due to their gradual growth pattern. However, when symptoms do develop, they typically result from compression of surrounding structures.

Common symptoms include:

1. Visual disturbances or vision problems, most frequent in cranial chondromas
2. Persistent headaches, common with skull base locations
3. Palpable mass or noticeable bump, particularly evident in hand and foot chondromas
4. Localised swelling around the tumour site
5. Hearing difficulties may occur with skull base chondromas
6. Dull, aching pain, more common in periosteal chondromas
7. Weakness, numbness, or bowel/bladder dysfunction can occur rarely when spinal chondromas compress neural structures

How is a Chondroma Diagnosed?

Diagnosis begins with clinical evaluation and imaging. For cranial or spinal cases, neurological examination helps assess nerve involvement. This process helps assess cranial nerve function and overall neurological status, particularly important for skull-based Tumors.

Because chondromas grow slowly and may exist asymptomatically for years, diagnosis often occurs incidentally during imaging performed for unrelated medical reasons. Your doctor will take a detailed medical history and conduct physical examinations to identify any palpable masses or neurological deficits.

The combination of clinical presentation and imaging findings allows doctors to differentiate chondromas from other bone conditions and potential malignancies like chondrosarcoma.

Diagnostic and Imaging Tests for Chondroma

• X-rays: Reveal well-circumscribed, radiolucent lesions with possible chondroid calcifications (‘rings and arcs’ pattern), often surrounded by a thin sclerotic rim.

• CT scan: Offers excellent bone detail and helps evaluate cortical integrity and matrix mineralization, bone involvement, and relationship to surrounding structures with excellent bone detail.

• MRI scan: Demonstrates lobulated lesions with low-to-intermediate signal on T1 and high signal on T2, helping differentiate from chondrosarcoma, particularly valuable for assessing tumour extent and planning surgical approaches.

• Bone Scans: Utilise radioactive tracers to evaluate bone metabolism and identify areas of increased activity associated with tumour growth.

• Biopsy: Sometimes necessary for definitive diagnosis, involving tissue sample collection for microscopic examination to confirm chondroma characteristics.

• Complete Blood Count (CBC): Routine blood tests help assess overall health status and identify any systemic conditions affecting treatment decisions.

Treatment Options for Chondromas

Treatment approaches vary significantly based on symptom severity, tumour location, and patient factors:

• Surgical Removal: The primary treatment for symptomatic chondromas, offering potential cure through complete tumour excision.

• Endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA): A minimally invasive surgical technique used for skull base chondromas, offering improved visualization and reduced morbidity, accessing through natural nasal corridors without external incisions.

• Complete Excision: Traditional surgical removal through direct incision, particularly effective for accessible Tumors in hands and feet.

• Watchful Waiting: Conservative monitoring approach for asymptomatic chondromas not threatening vital structures or causing functional problems.

• Bone Grafting: May accompany tumour removal to replace missing bone tissue and restore structural integrity.

Surgical Treatment for Chondromas

Surgical removal represents the primary treatment for symptomatic chondromas. For skull base and paranasal sinus locations, specialists often prefer the endoscopic endonasal approach, a minimally invasive technique using nasal cavities as natural access corridors. This innovative approach offers significant advantages over traditional open surgery, including no external incisions, no facial disfigurement, and faster recovery times.

For hand and foot lesions, intralesional curettage or excision under local or general anaesthesia is typically curative, which means scraping out the tumour under anaesthesia. After tumour removal, bone grafts may be required to replace missing bone and restore structural integrity.

Non-Surgical Management of Chondromas

For asymptomatic chondromas causing no functional problems, watchful waiting represents a reasonable approach. Your doctor may choose to monitor the tumour over time through periodic imaging studies, ensuring it's not growing or compressing nearby structures.

This approach avoids surgical risks whilst maintaining vigilance for behavioural changes. Patients typically receive instructions to report new symptoms like pain, swelling, vision changes, or neurological symptoms, which would prompt reassessment and possible surgical intervention.

Chondromas in Children vs. Adults

• Age patterns: Soft tissue chondromas commonly develop during middle age, whilst periosteal types occur at any age
• Location differences: Children may present with various bone locations; adults show more typical distribution patterns
• Symptom recognition: Children might more readily notice palpable masses in hands and feet
• Growth rates: Paediatric chondromas grow slowly over months or years
• Treatment approaches: Surgical principles remain similar, though growth plate considerations may apply

Prognosis for Chondroma Tumors

The prognosis for chondroma Tumors is generally excellent, with most patients experiencing complete recovery after appropriate treatment. These benign Tumors rarely recur following complete surgical removal, and the risk of complications remains low when treated by experienced medical teams.

Most people return to normal activities within weeks to months after surgery, depending on the tumour location and surgical approach. Long-term follow-up typically involves periodic imaging to ensure no recurrence, though this becomes less frequent over time as the risk diminishes.

Chondromas and Cancer Risk

Understanding chondroma cancer risk helps patients navigate their health journey with confidence. Unlike chondrosarcoma, which is malignant, chondromas remain benign throughout their existence. However, certain genetic conditions like Ollier disease and Maffucci syndrome may slightly increase the transformation risk to chondrosarcoma.

The vast majority of chondromas never become cancerous, making the chondroma cancer connection relatively uncommon. Regular monitoring through clinical examinations and appropriate imaging studies helps detect any suspicious changes early, ensuring optimal outcomes for all patients.

Conclusion

Understanding chondroma Tumors empowers you to recognise symptoms, seek appropriate medical care, and make informed treatment decisions. While these benign cartilage Tumors can cause concerning symptoms, the prognosis remains excellent with proper diagnosis and treatment. Whether dealing with enchondroma in your hand or a cranial chondroma causing headaches, early medical consultation ensures the best outcomes.

Remember that chondroma cancer transformation is rare, and most patients enjoy complete recovery after treatment. If you notice persistent lumps, unexplained pain, or neurological symptoms, don't hesitate to consult your doctor for proper evaluation.

At Metropolis Healthcare, we support your diagnostic journey with comprehensive testing services. Our extensive network of over 220 laboratories and 4,600 service centres ensures accessible, accurate diagnostics when you need them most. From routine blood tests to specialised imaging support, our home sample collection service brings convenience to your doorstep across 10,000+ touchpoints nationwide.

FAQs

Can chondromas become cancerous?

Malignant transformation of solitary chondromas is exceedingly rare; however, multiple enchondromas in Ollier disease or Maffucci syndrome carry up to a 30% risk of secondary chondrosarcoma. These benign Tumors typically remain non-cancerous throughout their existence, though regular monitoring helps detect any suspicious changes early.

What are the main symptoms of a chondroma?

Common symptoms include palpable masses, localised pain, swelling, and functional impairment. Cranial chondromas may cause vision problems, headaches, or hearing difficulties depending on location.

How are chondromas treated?

Treatment depends on symptoms and location. Symptomatic chondromas typically require surgical removal, whilst asymptomatic Tumors may be monitored through regular clinical examinations and imaging studies.

Are chondromas hereditary?

Chondromas aren't typically hereditary conditions. However, genetic syndromes like Ollier disease and Maffucci syndrome can increase the likelihood of developing multiple chondromas throughout the body.