Biomaterial Database

An unusual presentation of an anterior chest wall chondrosarcoma. 2003

R S Jamabo, and P N Wichendu

Department of Surgery, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND Occasionally, anterior chest wall chondrosarcoma presents in an unusual manner. OBJECTIVE We report a case of an anterior chest wall chondrosarcoma which was misdiagnosed as a breast tumour. METHODS The hospital notes of the patient and the literature on the disease were reviewed. RESULTS A 28-year old female Nigerian presented with a progressive enlargement of the right breast. Chest radiograph revealed an opacity in the right hemi-thorax. At surgery, the mass was found to be a chondrosarcoma arising from the anterior chest wall with the breast mass compressed anteriorly. This was confirmed by histopathological examination. She was followed up as outpatient but declined to further treatment. CONCLUSIONS An anterior chest wall tumour of the magnitude described, should always be investigated and evaluated adequately prior to surgery in order to avoid a diagnostic pitfall.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011859	Radiography	Examination of any part of the body for diagnostic purposes by means of X-RAYS or GAMMA RAYS, recording the image on a sensitized surface (such as photographic film).	Radiology, Diagnostic X-Ray,Roentgenography,X-Ray, Diagnostic,Diagnostic X-Ray,Diagnostic X-Ray Radiology,X-Ray Radiology, Diagnostic,Diagnostic X Ray,Diagnostic X Ray Radiology,Diagnostic X-Rays,Radiology, Diagnostic X Ray,X Ray Radiology, Diagnostic,X Ray, Diagnostic,X-Rays, Diagnostic
D001859	Bone Neoplasms	Tumors or cancer located in bone tissue or specific BONES.	Bone Cancer,Cancer of Bone,Cancer of the Bone,Neoplasms, Bone,Bone Neoplasm,Neoplasm, Bone
D002813	Chondrosarcoma	A slowly growing malignant neoplasm derived from cartilage cells, occurring most frequently in pelvic bones or near the ends of long bones, in middle-aged and old people. Most chondrosarcomas arise de novo, but some may develop in a preexisting benign cartilaginous lesion or in patients with ENCHONDROMATOSIS. (Stedman, 25th ed)	Chondrosarcomas
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D012272	Ribs	A set of twelve curved bones which connect to the vertebral column posteriorly, and terminate anteriorly as costal cartilage. Together, they form a protective cage around the internal thoracic organs.	Rib
D035441	Thoracic Wall	The outer margins of the thorax containing SKIN, deep FASCIA; THORACIC VERTEBRAE; RIBS; STERNUM; and MUSCLES.	Chest Wall,Wall, Chest,Wall, Thoracic