Synonyms

• None

Disorder Subdivisions

• Extraskeletal Mesenchymal Chondrosarcoma

General Discussion

Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma is an extremely rare, often aggressive form of cancer. It is a variant type of conventional chondrosarcoma. Conventional chondrosarcoma is a form of bone cancer that arises from cartilage cells. Cartilage is the specialized tissue that serves as a buffer or cushion at joints. Most of the skeleton of an embryo consists of cartilage, which is slowly converted into bone. Approximately two-thirds of cases of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma affect the bones, especially the spine, ribs or jaws. The remaining cases occur in areas of the body other than bone (extra-skeletal). Unlike conventional chondrosarcomas, mesenchymal chondrosarcomas occur with greater frequency in young adults. This form of cancer often spreads (metastasizes) to other areas of the body and can cause life-threatening complications.

Resources

American Cancer Society, Inc.
1599 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
USA
Tel: 4043203333
Tel: 8002272345
Internet: http://www.cancer.org

National Cancer Institute
6116 Executive Blvd, MSC 8322, Room 3036A
Bethesda, MD 20892-8322
USA
Tel: 3014353848
Tel: 8004226237
TDD: 8003328615
Internet: http://www.cancer.gov

National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
1010 Wayne Avenue
Suite770
Silver Spring, MD 20910-5600
Tel: (301)650-9127
Fax: (301)565-9670
Tel: (877)622-7937
Email: infor@canceradvocacy.org
Internet: http:// www.canceradvocacy.org

Sarcoma Foundation of America
PO Box 458
9884 Main Street
Damascus, MD 20872
USA
Tel: 3012538690
Fax: 3012538690
Email: info@curesarcoma.org
Internet: http://www.curesarcoma.org

Sarcoma Alliance
775 E. Blithedale #334
Mill Valley, CA 94941
USA
Tel: 4153817236
Fax: 4153817235
Email: info@sarcomaalliance.org
Internet: http://www.sarcomaalliance.org

Rare Cancer Alliance
1649 North Pacana Way
Green Valley, AZ 85614
USA
Tel: 5206255495
Fax: 6155264921
Email: sharon.lane@rare-cancer.org
Internet: http://www.rare-cancer.org

BeatSarcoma
143 28th Street
Suite 4
San Francisco, CA 94131
Tel: (415)651-4473
Email: info@beatsarcoma.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated:  10/28/2008
Copyright  2008National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.