BENIGN METASTASIZING CHONDROBLASTOMA - A CASE-REPORT

BACKGROUND. Metastasis of histologically benign chondroblastoma is a r are event. The authors report a new case, 12th in the literature, wher ein multiple lung metastases appeared almost simultaneously with the p rimary lesion in the right talus bone. METHODS. A histologic evaluatio n of the primary lesion in the talus and the pulmonary metastasis was performed, and an ultrastructural study of the latter was done. Publis hed literature on metastasizing chondroblastoma was reviewed to identi fy any consistency in the pattern and the outcome. RESULTS. Metastasis of chondroblastoma is uncommon but well known. Although radiologic an d histologic aggressive features have been sought, they do not necessa rily correlate with the outcome. CONCLUSIONS. Metastasis in chondrobla stoma has been insufficiently stressed in the literature, unlike metas tasis in giant cell tumors. The purpose of this case report is not onl y to document this uncommon event (the 12th case of lung metastasis) b ut also to emphasize that patients with chondroblastoma may have metas tasis at presentation. Hence, all patients need to be evaluated regula rly from the onset for possible lung metastasis so that deposits can b e detected early for total resection. (C) 1998 American Cancer Society .