Chondrosarcoma of the small bones of the hand: case report and review of the literature.

An unusually rare case of chondrosarcoma arising from an osteochondroma of a finger is presented. Chondrosarcomas of the hand in general are rare and almost always central in origin. Malignant degeneration of previously known enchondromas can occur and account for some but not all cases of chondrosarcoma of the hand. Histologic interpretation of cartilagenous lesions of the hand is difficult, and clinical behavior and radiographic appearance and appearance at surgery are often more reliable indicators of malignancy. Clinical suspicion should be aroused in an older individual with a previously quiescent lesion that becomes larger and/or more symptomatic. The clinical course of these tumors is slow and metastasis is late and usually to the lungs. Treatment of choice is amputation or ray resection of the affected part. Prognosis is good if metastasis has not occurred.