A sarcoma is a type of cancer that develops in connective tissue such as bone, cartilage, or muscle. Osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma are two different cancers that affect the skeletal system. Both sarcomas can be diagnosed through physical examination, imaging tests, and biopsy, and can be treated through surgery.
The key difference between osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma is their tissue of origin. Osteosarcoma is a cancer that starts in the bone, while chondrosarcoma is a cancer that starts in the cartilage.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Osteosarcoma
3. What is Chondrosarcoma
4. Similarities – Osteosarcoma and Chondrosarcoma
5. Osteosarcoma vs Chondrosarcoma in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Osteosarcoma vs Chondrosarcoma
7. FAQ – Osteosarcoma and Chondrosarcoma
What is Osteosarcoma?
Osteosarcoma is the most common type of cancer and starts in the bones of children and teenagers. Osteosarcoma generally affects long bones, such as those in the arms and legs. Each year, between 400 and 1,000 new cases of osteosarcoma are diagnosed in the United States. Osteosarcoma can be caused by rapid bone growth, exposure to radiation, and genetic factors. Moreover, symptoms of osteosarcoma may include bone pain or tenderness, a lump that is warm and might be felt through the skin, swelling and redness at the site of tumor, increased pain with lifting, limping, limited movement, unexplained fever, and broken bone.
Figure 01: Predilection Sites of Osteosarcoma
Osteosarcoma can be diagnosed through physical examination, blood test, X-ray, CT scan, MRI, bone scan, ET scan, and biopsy. Furthermore, treatment options for osteosarcoma may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, cryosurgery, amputation, and rotationplasty.
What is Chondrosarcoma?
Chondrosarcoma is a rare cancer that starts in the cartilage. Cartilage is the soft connective tissue that allows movement between the bones and joints. This cancer affects men and women equally. It typically appears in people between ages 40 and 75. Approximately 600 people are diagnosed with chondrosarcoma each year in the United States. Moreover, symptoms of this condition may include pain and swelling in the bone, fatigue, fever, and unintentional weight loss. Chondrosarcoma is linked to the inherited condition Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Maffucci syndrome, Ollier’s disease, and multiple hereditary exostoses.
Figure 02: Chondrosarcoma
Chondrosarcoma can be diagnosed through physical examination, X-ray, CT scan, MRI, and biopsy. Furthermore, chondrosarcoma can be treated through surgery and bone grafts.
Similarities Between Osteosarcoma and Chondrosarcoma
- Osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma are two different types of sarcomas.
- Both sarcomas affect the skeletal system.
- Both sarcomas can be diagnosed through physical examination, imaging tests, and biopsy.
- They can be treated through surgeries.
Difference Between Osteosarcoma and Chondrosarcoma
Definition
- Osteosarcoma is the most common type of cancer that originates in the bones of children and teenagers.
- Chondrosarcoma is a rare cancer starting from the cartilage of adults.
Commonness
- Osteosarcoma is more common.
- Chondrosarcoma is less common.
Frequency
- Annually, between 400 and 1,000 new cases of osteosarcoma are diagnosed in the United States.
- Approximately 600 people are diagnosed with chondrosarcoma each year in the United States.
Causes
- Osteosarcoma can result from rapid bone growth, radiation exposure, and genetic factors.
- Chondrosarcoma is associated with inherited conditions like Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Maffucci syndrome, Ollier’s disease, and multiple hereditary exostoses.
Symptoms
- Symptoms of osteosarcoma include bone pain or tenderness, a warm lump felt through the skin, swelling, redness, increased pain with lifting, limping, limited movement, fever, and broken bone.
- On the other hand, chondrosarcoma symptoms include pain, swelling in the bone, fatigue, fever, and unintentional weight loss.
Diagnosis
- Osteosarcoma diagnosis involves physical examination, blood tests, X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, bone scans, PET scans, and biopsies.
- Chondrosarcoma diagnosis includes physical examination, X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and biopsies.
Treatment
- Treatment for osteosarcoma may involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, cryosurgery, amputation, and rotationplasty.
- Chondrosarcoma treatment typically consists of surgery and bone grafts.
The infographic below presents the differences between osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Osteosarcoma vs Chondrosarcoma
Osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma are two different types of sarcomas. Both sarcomas affect the skeletal system. Osteosarcoma is the most common type of cancer that starts in the bones of children and teenagers. In contrast, chondrosarcoma is a rare cancer that starts from the cartilage of adults. This summarizes the difference between osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma.
FAQ: Osteosarcoma and Chondrosarcoma
1. Is osteosarcoma cancer curable?
- A small number of osteosarcomas are low-grade, likely growing slowly. Patients with low-grade, resectable osteosarcomas can often be cured with surgery alone. However, if the tumor removed by surgery is found to be high grade on laboratory tests, chemotherapy might then be recommended.
2. What age does osteosarcoma occur?
- Most osteosarcomas occur in children, teens, and young adults between ages 10 and 30. Teens are the most commonly affected age group (under 15), but people of any age can develop osteosarcoma. Moreover, about 1 in 10 osteosarcomas can also occur in people older than 60.
3. What is chondrosarcoma, also known as?
- Chondrosarcoma is a type of sarcoma that develops in cartilage cells. Cartilage is the specialized soft gristly connective tissue present in adults and the tissue from which most bones develop. It normally plays an important role in the growth process.
4. What is the treatment for chondrosarcoma?
- Chondrosarcoma can be treated through surgery and bone grafts. Sometimes, repeated surgeries are necessary. However, chemotherapy is not used for chondrosarcoma.
Reference:
1. “Osteosarcoma, Chondrosarcoma, and Chordoma.” Journal of Clinical Oncology.
2. “Types of Bone Sarcoma.” Patient Care at NYU Langone Health.
Image Credit:
1. “Predilection sites of osteosarcoma2” By Human_skeleton_front_-_no_labels.svg: Mikael Häggströmderivative work: Madhero88 – Human_skeleton_front_-_no_labels.svg (CC BY-SA 3.00) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Chondrosarcoma in proximal humerus” By bc the path (CC BY-NC 2.0 DEED) via Flickr