Mediastinal chondrosarcoma.

The authors report a rare case of primary chondrosarcoma of the anterior mediastinum showing unusual pathological and clinical features, namely 1) the lack of any anatomical relationship between the tumor and cartilage-containing organs, and 2) an indolent behavior with long-term survival. In spite of early disease recurrence and repeated surgery, the patient is in good health five years after primary surgery. The reported case suggests that 1) primary chondrosarcomas of the anterior mediastinum may have a better prognosis than previously recognized, 2) the disease can remain confined within the chest for as long as five years, and 3) repeated surgery may contribute to long-term survival.