Chondroblastoma

Chondroblastoma
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Chondroblastoma is a rare, benign, locally aggressive bone tumor that typically affects the epiphyses or apophyses of long bones.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Romeo" /> It is thought to arise from an outgrowth of immature cartilage cells (chondroblasts) from secondary ossification centers, originating from the epiphyseal plate or some remnant of it.<ref name="Romeo" /><ref name="Ramappa" />

Chondroblastoma is very uncommon, accounting for only 1-2% of all bone tumors.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Ramappa" /> It affects mostly children and young adults with most patients being in the second decade of life, or less than 20 years of age.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Kurt" /> Chondroblastoma shows a predilection towards the male sex, with a ratio of male to female patients of 2:1.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Kurt" /><ref name="Damron" /> The most commonly affected site is the femur, followed by the humerus and tibia.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Ramappa" /><ref name="Kurt" /><ref name="Turcotte" /> Less commonly affected sites include the talus and calcaneus of the foot and flat bones.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Turcotte" />

Signs and Symptoms

The most common symptom is mild to severe pain that is gradually progressive in the affected region and may be initially attributed to a minor injury or sports-related injury.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Ramappa" /><ref name="Damron" /><ref name="Turcotte" /> Pain may be present for several weeks, months, or years.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Damron" /> Other symptoms in order of most common to least commonly observed include swelling, a limp (when affected bone is in the lower extremity), joint stiffness, and a soft tissue mass.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Turcotte" />

Physical findings include localized tenderness and a decreased range of motion in the involved bone and nearby joint, muscle atrophy, a palpable mass, soft tissue swelling, and joint effusion in the affected area.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Damron" /><ref name="Turcotte" /> Less commonly, pathological fractures can be found, especially in cases involving the foot.<ref name="De" /> In cases involving the temporal bone, tinnitus, dizziness, and hearing loss have been reported.<ref name="Turcotte" />

In a publication by Turcotte et al. it was found that the average duration of symptoms for patients with chondroblastoma was about 20 months, ranging from 5 weeks to 16 years.<ref name="Damron" /><ref name="Turcotte" />

Risk Factors

Currently, the genetic or environmental factors that predispose an individual for chondroblastoma are not well known or understood.<ref name="De" /> Chondroblastoma affects males more often than females at a ratio of 2:1 in most clinical reports.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Ramappa" /><ref name="Kurt" /><ref name="Damron" /><ref name="Turcotte" /> Furthermore, it is most often observed in young patients that are skeletally immature, with most cases diagnosed in the second decade of life.<ref name="Romeo" /><ref name="Damron" /> Approximately 92% of patients presenting with chondroblastoma are younger than 30 years.<ref name="Damron" /> There is no indication of a racial predilection for chondroblastoma.<ref name="Damron" />

Pathogenesis

The etiology of chondroblastoma is uncertain, as there is no specific characteristic abnormality or chromosomal breaking point observed, despite cytogenetic abnormalities being highly specific for some tumors.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Damron" />

Romeo et al has noted that chondroblastoma arising in long bones mainly affects the epiphyses, while in other locations it is close to ossification centers.<ref name="Romeo" /> Additionally, rare prevalence of chondroblastoma in intra-membranous ossification suggests a close relationship with growth plate cartilage.<ref name="Romeo" /> In chondroblastoma, growth signaling molecules may be present due to the pre-pubertal signaling network as well as cartilage growth.<ref name="Romeo" /> Sex hormones are thought to be linked to this process because of the spatial relationship of chondroblastoma with the growth plate and its typical occurrence before growth plate fusion.<ref name="Romeo" /> Both Indian Hedgehog/Parathyroid Hormone-related Protein (IHh/PtHrP) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling pathways, important for development of the epiphyseal growth plate, are active in chondroblastoma leading to greater proliferation among the cells in the proliferating/pre-hypertrophic zone (cellular-rich area) versus the hypertrophic/calcifying zone (matrix-rich area).<ref name="De" /><ref name="Romeo" /> These findings suggest that chondroblastoma is derived from a mesenchymal cell undergoing chondrogenesis via active growth-plate signaling pathways (see Endochondral ossification).<ref name="De" /><ref name="Romeo" />

The highly heterogeneous nature of the tumor makes classification particularly difficult especially considering the origins of chondroblastoma.<ref name="Romeo" /> There are two opposing views on the nature of chondroblastoma, one favoring an osseous origin and the other favoring a cartilaginous origin. The work of Aigner et al suggests that chondroblastoma should be reclassified as a bone-forming neoplasm versus a cartilaginous neoplasm due to the presence of osteoid matrix, type I collagen, and absence of true cartilage matrix (collagen II).<ref name="Romeo" /><ref name="Damron" /> However, Edel et al found that collagen II, a marker for mature chondrocytes, was expressed in chondroblastoma, supporting the chondroid nature of the neoplasm.<ref name="Romeo" /> The results of Romeo and colleagues favor the view of Edel et al of chondroblastoma being cartilaginous in nature but recognize that any definitive determinations regarding the origin of this neoplasm are not possible because of the plasticity of mesenchymal cells when set into different microenvironments and static approaches used in literature.<ref name="Romeo" /> Romeo et al have observed chondroblastoma neoplasms to be composed of mesenchymal cells that have completed normal chondrogenesis along with the production of osteoid and collagen I that could be the result of transdifferentiation of chondrocytes towards osteoblasts.<ref name="Romeo" />

Diagnosis

Imaging Studies

A variety of imaging studies can be used to diagnose chondroblastoma, with radiographs being the most common.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Damron" /> Laboratory studies are not considered useful.<ref name="Damron" /> Classical chondroblastoma (appearing on long bones) appears as a well-defined eccentric oval or round lytic lesion that usually involves the adjacent bone cortex without periosteal reaction.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Turcotte" /> A sclerotic margin can be seen in some cases.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Turcotte" /> For long bone chondroblastomas the tumor is typically contained to the epiphysis or apophysis but may extend through the epiphyseal plate.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Turcotte" /> Chondroblastomas are usually located in the medullary portion of bones and can, in some cases, include the metaphysis.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Turcotte" /> However, true metaphyseal chondroblastomas are rare and are typically the result of an extension from a neighboring epiphyseal legion.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Turcotte" /> Most lesions are less than 4 cm.<ref name="De" /> A mottled appearance on the radiograph is not atypical and indicates areas of calcification which is commonly associated with skeletally immature patients.<ref name="De" /> Additionally, one-third of all cases involve aneurysmal bone cysts which are thought to be the result of stress, trauma or hemorrhage.<ref name="De" /> In cases involving older patients or flat bones, typical radiographic presentation is not as common and may mimic aggressive processes.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Turcotte" />

Other imaging techniques involve computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and bone scans, which may be helpful in determining the anatomical boundaries, associated edema, or biological activity of the chondroblastoma, respectively.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Damron" />

Histological Findings

Chondroid differentiation is a common feature of chondroblastoma.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Kurt" /><ref name="Turcotte" /> A typical histological appearance consists of a combination of oval mononuclear and multi-nucleated osteoclast-type giant cells.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Ramappa" /><ref name="Kurt" /> However this is not a prerequisite for diagnosis, as cells with epithelioid characteristics have been observed in lesions of the skull and facial bones.<ref name="Kurt" /> A "chicken-wire" appearance is characteristic of chondroblastoma cells and is the result of dystrophic calcification that may surround individual cells.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Damron" /> Although, calcification may not be present and is not a prerequisite for diagnosis.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Ramappa" /><ref name="Kurt" /> Mitotic figures can be observed in chondroblastoma tissue but are not considered atypical in nature, and therefore, should not be viewed as a sign of a more serious pathology.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Kurt" /> There is no correlation between mitotic activity and location of the lesion.<ref name="Kurt" /> Furthermore, the presence of atypical cells is rare and is not associated with malignant chondroblastoma.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Turcotte" /> There are no discernible histological differences observed when comparing the aggressive form of chondroblastoma that can cause recurrence or metastases with its less aggressive, benign, counterpart.

Differential Diagnosis

Chondromyxoid fibromas can share characteristics with chondroblastomas with regards to histologic and radiographic findings. However they more commonly originate from the metaphysis, lack calcification and have a different histologic organization pattern.<ref name="Damron" /> Other differential diagnoses for chondroblastoma consist of giant cell tumors, bone cysts, eosinophilic granulomas, clear cell chondrosarcomas, and enchondromas (this list is not exhaustive).<ref name="De" /><ref name="Damron" />

Treatment

Chondroblastoma has not been known to spontaneously heal and the standard treatment is surgical curettage of the lesion with bone grafting.<ref name="De" /> To prevent recurrence or complications it is important to excise the entire tumor following strict oncologic criteria.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Damron" /> However, in skeletally immature patients intraoperative fluoroscopy may be helpful to avoid destruction of the epiphyseal plate.<ref name="De" /> In patients who are near the end of skeletal growth, complete curettage of the growth plate is an option.<ref name="De" /> In addition to curettage, electric or chemical cauterization (via phenol) can be used as well as cryotherapy and wide or marginal resection.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Damron" /> Depending on the size of the subsequent defect, autograft or allograft bone grafts are the preferred filling materials.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Damron" /> Other options include substituting polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) or fat implantation in place of the bone graft.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Ramappa" /><ref name="Damron" /> The work of Ramappa et al suggests that packing with PMMA may be a more optimal choice because the heat of polymerization of the cement is thought to kill any remaining lesion.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Ramappa" />

Both radiotherapy and chemotherapy are not commonly used.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Damron" /> Radiotherapy has been implemented in chondroblastoma cases that are at increased risk of being more aggressive and are suspected of malignant transformation.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Damron" /> Furthermore, radiofrequency ablation has been used, but is typically most successful for small chondroblastoma lesions (approximately 1.5 cm).<ref name="De" /> Treatment with radiofrequency ablation is highly dependent on size and location due to the increased risk of larger, weight-bearing lesions being at an increased risk for articular collapse and recurrence.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Damron" />

Overall, the success and method of treatment is highly dependent upon the location and size of the chondroblastoma.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Kurt" /><ref name="Damron" />

Prognosis

Although not specific to one mode of management, lesion size, patient sex, or follow-up, the recurrence rate for chondroblastoma is relatively high, and has been shown in select studies to be dependent upon the anatomical location, method of treatment, and biological aggressiveness of the initial lesion.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Ramappa" /><ref name="Damron" /> The rate of recurrence is highly variable, ranging between 5% and 40%, as study results are generally inconclusive.<ref name="De" /> However, local recurrence for long bone lesions is around 10%, with chondroblastoma in flat bones having higher recurrence and more complications.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Damron" /> Recurrences are more common in cases involving an open epiphyseal plate where they can be attributed to inadequate curettage to avoid damage.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Damron" /> Lesions of the proximal femur are particularly problematic because of difficulties accessing the femoral head for complete excision.<ref name="De" /> Chondroblastoma may recur in the soft tissue surrounding the initial lesion, especially in the case of incomplete curettage.<ref name="De" /> Recurrences have been shown to occur between 5 months and 7 years after initial treatment and are generally treated with repeat curettage and excision of affected soft-tissue.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Damron" /> No histological differences have been seen between recurrent and non-recurrent chondroblastomas.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Kurt" /><ref name="Turcotte" />

Rarely, more aggressive chondroblastomas can metastasize.<ref name="De" /> The most common location for metastases is the lung, with some cases also involving secondary bone sites, soft tissue, skin, or the liver.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Damron" /> The prevalence of metastatic chondroblastoma, however, is quite low and is believed to be less than 1%.<ref name="De" /> There is no relationship established between metastasis and previous surgery, non-surgical treatment, anatomical location, or patient age.<ref name="De" /> Survival of patients with metastatic lesions is better when the metastases are surgically resectable, as chemotherapy has been shown to have little to no benefit.<ref name="De" /> Prognosis is bleak for patients with malignant chondroblastomas that are resistant to surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.<ref name="Damron" /> However, patients with resectable metastases have survived for several years following diagnosis.<ref name="De" />

While recurrence is the most common complication of chondroblastoma other issues include post-surgery infection, degenerative joint disease, pathological fractures, failure of bone grafts, pre-mature epiphyseal closure, functional impairment, and malignant transformation.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Damron" /> Complications are less common in patients presenting with chondroblastoma in accessible areas.<ref name="De" /> Overall, patients with more classical chondroblastoma (appearing in long bones, typical presentation) have better prognoses than patients with atypical chondroblastoma (flat bones, skull, etc.).<ref name="De" /><ref name="Ramappa" /><ref name="Kurt" /><ref name="Damron" /><ref name="Turcotte" />

History

Chondroblastoma was first described in 1927 as a cartilage-containing giant cell tumor by Kolodny but later characterized by Codman in 1931.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Kurt" /> Codman believed chondroblastoma to be an "epiphyseal chondromatous giant cell tumor" in the proximal humerus.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Ramappa" /> This view was changed later by a comprehensive review completed by Jaffe and Lichtenstein in 1942 of similar tumors in other locations than the proximal humerus.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Kurt" /> They re-defined the tumor as a benign chondroblastoma of the bone that is separate from giant cell tumors.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Damron" /> However, chondroblastoma of the proximal humerus is still sometimes referred to as Codman’s Tumor.<ref name="De" /><ref name="Ramappa" /><ref name="Kurt" />

References

<references> <ref name="De">De Mattos, Camilia B. R., et al. "Chondroblastoma and Chondromyxoid Fibroma." Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 21.4 (2013): 225-233. Web. 5 Dec. 2015.</ref>

<ref name="Romeo">Romeo, S., et al. "Expression of cartilage growth plate signalling molecules in Chondroblastoma." Journal of Pathology 202 (2004): 113-120. Web. 6 Dec. 2015.</ref>

<ref name="Ramappa">Ramappa, Arun J., et al. "Chondroblastoma of Bone." The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 82A.8 (2000): 1140-1145. Web. 6 Dec. 2015.</ref>

<ref name="Kurt">Kurt, Ann-Marie, et al. "Chondroblastoma of Bone." Human Pathology 20.10 (1989): 965-976. Web. 5 Dec. 2015.</ref>

<ref name="Damron">Damron, Timothy A. "Chondroblastoma." MedScape (2014). Web. 6 Dec. 2015</ref>

<ref name="Turcotte">Turcotte, Robert E., et al. "Chondroblastoma." Human Pathology 24.9 (1993): 944-949. Web. 6 Dec. 2015.</ref> </references>

External links

• Chondroblastoma- Medscape

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