Enchondroma – colloquially called cartilage tumor – (synonyms: chondroma; central osteochondroma; dyschondroplasia; ICD-10-GM D16.9: bone and articular cartilage, unspecified) is a benign (benign) bone tumor that originates from cartilage tissue and consists of mature chondrocytes (cartilage cells). Consequently, an enchondroma is classified as a chondroma (cartilage tumor).
An enchondroma lies sharply demarcated centrally in the bone and displaces bone tissue. It grows into the soft parts of the bone (medullary cavity). Often the cartilage matrix calcifies in the course.
Bone tumors can be divided into primary and secondary tumors. Enchondroma is one of the primary bone tumors. Typical for primary tumors is their respective course and that they can be assigned to a certain age range (see “Frequency peak”) as well as a characteristic localization (see under “Symptoms – complaints”). They occur more frequently at the sites of most intensive longitudinal growth (metaepiphyseal/articular region). This explains why bone tumors occur more frequently during puberty. They grow infiltratively (invading/displacing), crossing anatomical boundary layers. Secondary bone tumors also grow infiltratively, but usually do not cross boundaries.An enchondroma usually stops growing after body growth is complete, but can still continue to grow and become malignant (malignant).
An enchondroma can occur not only solitary (single), but also multiple (ICD-10 Q78.4: enchondromatosis), e.g. in the context of Ollier syndrome (hemifacial enchondromatosis of multiple long tubular bones) and Mafucci syndrome (asymmetric enchondromas esp. of the limbs combined with hemangiomas (blood sponges) of the skin and internal organs). In both cases there is a risk of degeneration in contrast to solitary enchondroma.
Sex ratio: Male adolescents/males and female adolescents/females are equally affected.
Peak incidence: enchondroma occurs predominantly between the ages of 15 and 40.
Enchondroma is the second most common benign bone tumor (approximately 10%) after osteochondroma (50% of benign bone tumors). It is the most common tumor of the finger phalanges (phalanges).
The course and prognosis depend on the location and extent of the bone tumor. In general, benign tumors can initially be waited for and observed (“watch and wait” strategy). Enchondroma grows slowly and rarely causes symptoms. It is usually discovered by chance. An enchondroma that is centrally located in the bone or localized in the peripheral skeleton does not need to be treated if it does not cause any symptoms. The situation is different for an enchondroma that continues to grow after completion of body growth and/or occurs close to the trunk or in the trunk skeleton. This can degenerate, i.e. become malignant (malignant). It also expands more and tends to recur (recurrence of the disease). In these cases, it should be resected (surgically removed) (see “Surgical Therapy“). Metastasis (formation of daughter tumors) is not observed.In general, the prognosis for patients with enchondroma is very good.
