Intralesional curettage, with phenol and cement as adjuvants, for low-grade intramedullary chondrosarcoma of the long bones

The authors conducted a retrospective study on 23 patients (12 females and 11 males) with low-grade intramedullary chondrosarcoma of a long bone, treated with intralesional curettage, phenolization and cementation. The use of phenol was supported by an in vitro study, the use of bone cement by clinical studies. A consensus has been growing that this type of tumours should be treated less aggressively. The average age of the patients was 44.5 years (range : 29 to 71). The mean follow-up period was 6.2 years (range : 2.5 to 11 years). After 6 months the average Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score was 76.8% of 30, the best possible score (range : 61% to 87%). After 12 months this score increased to 89.8% (range : 63% to 100%). Complications were : one recurrence (4.3%), treated with a tumour prosthesis, and 3 fractures (13%). The authors strongly support this new technique, all the more as it still allows for a more radical approach, if necessary. They stress the importance of a strict follow-up by a multi-disciplinary team, in order to treat local recurrences and (rarely) metastases.