Chondrosarcoma: clear-cell variant. A report of sixteen cases.

Of sixteen adult patients with clear-cell chondrosarcoma, ten were men. The tumor usually involved the proximal part of the femur or humerus. Roentgenographically, the lesion was usually well defined and indistinguishable from chondroblastoma. Serial roentgenograms occasionally showed malignant progression of the lesion. Histologically, benign giant cells and cells with clear cytoplasm were always present, and areas of conventional chondrosarcoma were seen in about half the cases. Excision usually resulted in recurrence; resection seemed to be curative. Four of the sixteen patients died as a result of the tumor. Clear-cell chondrosarcoma should be distinguished from chondroblastoma and treated more aggressively.