Chondroma

A chondroma is a benign (non-cancerous) tumor composed of hyaline cartilage. It typically develops in the cartilage of bones, most commonly in the small bones of the hands and feet, but can occur in other areas with cartilaginous tissue. These slow-growing tumors are usually asymptomatic, discovered incidentally during imaging for other conditions. While benign, they can cause pain, swelling, and even fractures if they grow large enough or weaken the bone. Treatment often involves observation, but surgical removal may be necessary in symptomatic cases to relieve pressure or prevent complications, sometimes, if growth is persistent. Recurrence is possible after removal, and rare cases may transform into chondrosarcoma.

Chondroma meaning with examples

• During a routine X-ray for a sprained ankle, the doctor discovered a small chondroma in the talus bone. The patient reported no pain or discomfort, and the doctor advised monitoring the tumor with periodic follow-up imaging.
• A young athlete with a history of recurrent ankle sprains experienced persistent pain and swelling in their hand. MRI revealed a chondroma in a metacarpal bone, requiring surgical intervention to remove the tumor and alleviate the discomfort.
• A woman undergoing a bone density scan noticed some calcification in her hand, so, was further examined and a chondroma in a phalanx of her finger was identified, showing some degree of growth and a watch-and-wait approach was recommended.
• After surgery, the pathologist discovered a chondroma within the patient’s knee cartilage. A physical examination confirmed the patient's suspicions, and the surgeon had successfully removed the tumor and repaired the joint.