What is esenchymal chondrosarcoma?

Certain cancers are better known than others, and that name recognition might earn them more funding for research. With more than 100 different types of classified cancers, there are many that the public has never heard of. Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma, an extremely rare cancer of the cartilage, is among those cancers the general public knows very little about. Mesenchyme are embryonic cells from which cartilage is formed. Chondrosarcoma is a form of bone cancer that arises from cartilage cells. Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma is a special variant of chondrosarcoma and is much more rare. According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc., 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 (occurring in soft tissues like muscle and fat). 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. Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma is very rare, with oncologists sometimes only experiencing one case in their lifetimes. However, the fast-spreading nature of the disease makes it one worth learning about so that prompt attention can be taken should symptoms like swelling or pain, either in a limb or another part of the body, present themselves.