Mandibular periosteal (juxtacortical) chondrosarcoma

Mandibular periosteal (juxtacortical) chondrosarcoma

Elisângela Maria Cunha Costa^I; Bárbara Lima Lucas^I; Mariana Reis Silva^I; Renata Hinhug Vilarinho^I; Paulo Rogério de Faria^II; Adriano Mota Loyola^I

^ILaboratory of Oral Pathology, Dental School, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil

^IIDepartment of Morphology, Institute of Biomedical, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil

^{Correspondence}

ABSTRACT

Periosteal (juxtacortical) chondrosarcoma (PC) is a well-differentiated malignant cartilage-forming tumor arising from the external bone surface, especially in long bones. The therapy of choice is en-bloc resection and, in general, its prognosis is good. This paper reports a rare case of PC affecting the mandible of a 41-year-old man. The lesion presented as a slow-growing-painless swelling that lasted 2 months. Computed tomography scan showed a tumoral mass arising from the external bone surface, extending into the adjacent soft tissue presenting patchy regions of popcorn-like calcifications. A final diagnosis of PC (grade II) was rendered after biopsy. Hemimandibulectomy was undertaken followed by complementary radiotherapy with 70 Gy. Although no episodes of recurrence or metastasis had been noticed after 18 months of follow-up, the patient died and causa mortis could not be established.

KeyWords: chondrosarcoma, periosteal chondrosarcoma, mandible, jaws, bone pathology.

RESUMO

Condrossarcoma (juxtacortical) periosteal (CP) é um tumor maligno produtor de cartilagem bem diferenciado que normalmente surge na superfície externa dos ossos longos. O tratamento de escolha para esse tumor é a ressecção em bloco e, em geral, apresenta um prognóstico bom. Nesse trabalho, nós apresentamos um caso raro de CP afetando a mandíbula de um homem de 41 anos de idade. A lesão apresentava um crescimento lento e indolor de 2 meses de evolução. A tomografia computadorizada revelou a presença de uma massa tumoral surgindo na superfície externa do osso mandibular exibindo agregados de tecido calcificado no seu interior e que se estendia para os tecidos moles adjacentes. Depois de realizada uma biópsia, um diagnóstico final de CP (grau II) foi estabelecido. O tratamento de escolha foi hemimandibulectomia seguida por radioterapia complementar na dose de 70 Gy. Embora nenhum episódio de recorrência ou metástase tenha sido noticiado após 18 meses de acompanhamento, o paciente morreu e a causa mortis não pôde ser determinada.

INTRODUCTION

Chondrosarcomas are malignant tumor characterized by cartilage production. Despite of their common occurrence in long bones as intramedullary lesions, 1-3% of them affect the head and neck region mainly jaw bones (1-4). In spite of their aggressive local behavior and poor prognosis, these tumors have been reported as being of low metastatic potential (1,2). A less common subtype of malignant tumor of cartilage-forming tissues is the periosteal (juxtacortical) chondrosarcoma (PC). This distinct entity typically manifests as a slow-growing-painless lump from the external bone surface (5-7). It is usually diagnosed as a well-differentiated lesion (grade I) and presents a less aggressive course (8-10). So far, only one case of PC in the head and neck region affecting the lingual plate of the mandibular body has been published in the English-language literature (11). This paper describes the second case of PC arising in the mandible of a male adult patient.

CASE REPORT

A 41-year-old Caucasian man was referred to the dental clinic of a Public Health Center complaining of a painless lump on the left side of his mandible that had lasted for 2 months. He was otherwise healthy, but reported that he had stopped smoking 10 years before, after having smoked for 27 years. The medical history was not contributory. Upon intraoral examination an ulcerated, fixed, non-tender erythematous mass was noted on the left mandible extending from the second premolar to the third molar region. Although the adjacent first and second molars were apparently vital, both teeth exhibited moderate mobility (Fig. 1). Upon neck examination, no cervical lymphadenopathy was apparent.

Panoramic radiography showed a discrete radiolucent area with ill-defined limits sited in the bifurcation of the first and second molars, coupled with a vertical periodontal bone loss as well as apparent widening of the periodontal ligament space related to distal root of the first molar. A slight bone rarefaction area mixed with discrete ill-defined "spotty densities" could be seen near the second molar (Fig. 2). As these findings could not immediately be associated with the presence of the large mandibular swelling, the patient was referred to an Oncology Center 1 month after the first consultation where a computed tomography (CT) scan was done. The images revealed a predominantly well-circumscribed hypointense soft tissue lesion facing the buccal cortex of the left mandible and growing into the adjacent soft tissue. Within the tumoral area, a lot of patchy hyperintense (calcified) structures could be noted. The buccal and lingual cortices were notably intact and slight sclerosis of the buccal cortex in the molar region was observed (Fig. 3). Furthermore, no kind of alterations in the parotid, carotid and masticatory spaces could be noted. Based on this, a hypothesis of periosteal osteosarcoma was raised.

Thereafter, an incisional biopsy under local anesthesia was performed and the fragments were sent to the pathologist. Under macroscopic examination, the specimens were constituted of 2 somewhat hard, tan-colored tissue fragments, without any particular morphological aspects. Microscopically, the tumor presented a lobulated neoplastic hyaline cartilage separated by fibrous bands and focal myxoid change. Aggregates of oval and fusiform undifferentiated cells were seen in the periphery of the lobules. Cartilaginous differentiation with enchondral bone formation was evident in the centre of the tumoral lobules, whose cells presented of mild to moderate grade of atypia, including multiple and/or enlarged grotesque nuclei. Mitoses were rare. Moreover, areas of calcification could be seen throughout the neoplastic tissue. Nevertheless, no area of malignant osteoid with or without included atypical cells was found (Fig. 4). These histopathological aspects were conclusive for moderately differentiated chondrosarcoma (grade II).

Left hemimandibulectomy and hemipelvectomy with sacrifice of the inferior alveolar nerve were done. All surgical specimens were sent for histopathological analyses. Grossly, the lesion extended from the second premolar to the third molar on the same side. On the cut surface, an inconspicuous inner limit leaning on, but no apparent destruction or invasion of the buccal cortex was observed. Three triangular sections were taken away from the tumoral periphery for microscopic examination. The final diagnosis was chondrosarcoma (grade II). As complementary treatment, a course of adjuvant radiotherapy with 70 Gy was completed in 7 months. Thereafter, a metastatic work-up was started, which included roentgenograms of the cranium, liver, axial and appendicular skeleton. Follow-up regimen consisted of a thorough head and neck examination every 4 months coupled with one chest radiography.

During the radiation therapy his family reported that patient presented hearing loss, which was admitted as sequelae of the treatment. Clinical and imaginologic evaluations with 3-month intervals were made. Although no evidence of tumor recurrence was observed during 18 months of follow up, the patient died 2 months after the last consultation, but no data on the causa mortis could be established.

DISCUSSION

Long bones PC account for less than 2% of all chrondrosarcomas. They typically manifest as slow-growing-painless lumps arising from the surface of bone without medullar commitment. They are twice more frequent in men and present over a wide age range (from 15 to 63 years) (5,7,12,13). Using the grading system applied for conventional intramedullary chrondrosarcoma, long bones PC are categorized as tumors of grade I or II and with low or no tendency to metastasize (6). Up to now, only one case affecting the mandible has recently been reported (11).

Since this lesion is rare in the head and neck region, little clinicopathologic information on it could be obtained from the literature. Because of this, clinical and imaginologic aspects of the present case will be discussed in the light of current knowledge on long bones PC and the unique case in head and neck described by Van Damme et al. (11). Our patient presented a firm asymptomatic swelling on the left posterior mandible, which was confirmed by the CT scan. Moreover, CT scan clearly demonstrated the tumor emerging from the cortical bone and absence of any cortical injury. Instead, the underlying cortex presented only a slight sclerotic reaction (6,13). Furthermore, an absence of medullar bone involvement by the tumor could also be certified during gross examination (not documented), suggesting a periosteal localization for it. As demonstrated by Van Damme et al. (11), macroscopic and imaging aspects are very important to establish a diagnosis of PC. However, as described to long bones PC and observed in the present case, this lesion may present a well-delimited tumoral front in the mucosal soft tissue on CT scan, reflecting the periosteal dislodgment from the cortical plate that imparted well-defined limits to the neoplastic growth. This imaging finding was described by Van Damme et al. (11) as well. Moreover, the presence of typical popcorn-like calcifications (hyperintense patches) sited in the center of the image completed the classic imaging aspects described to long bones PC.

In spite of this, some points of the present case could cast doubts on its periosteal origin, which deserve complementary discussion. The presence of a lingual dental displacement, mobility of the second molar and irregular pattern of bone loss with altered trabecular morphology demonstrated by radiographic image could suggest intramedullary origin or, at least, an intramedullary extension of the tumor. In fact, widening of the periodontal ligament space and tooth mobility have been reported associated to the mandible chondrosarcomas, while erosion, saucerization, cortical destruction and medullar invasion has been reported for long bones PC (6,12-14). Notwithstanding, some evidences contradicted both the medullary origin and medullary commitment for this tumor. Firstly, as can be observed in Figure 2, alveolar bone loss in the left premolar and molar regions was similar to bone loss seen in a periodontal disease. Extensive periodontal bone loss due to a generalized periodontal disease was also found in other sites, as seen in the incisive maxillary region. Therefore, it is possible that the tumor growing on the cortical plate could have induced pressure on and displacement of the teeth, as detected both clinically and radiographically. Further, it is also important to mention that the medullary cavity was normal and no cortical rupture or defect was found by CT scan. Intramedullary chondrosarcoma usually breaks the cortex and invades the surrounding soft tissues (6) and these findings were not seen on imagenological examination in the present case.

Histologically, PC is similar to the conventional chondrosarcomas. The periphery of the lobules contains more roundish or spindle shaped undifferentiated cells with little intercellular matrix. Towards the center of the lobules, cartilaginous differentiation is evident, with more abundant hyaline matrix. In most cases, cellular atypia and presence of one or more plump, sometimes monstrous or bizarre nuclei, indicating a moderate to high-grade malignancy can be observed in these areas. All tumors present calcification zones, which are generally accompanied by enchondral ossifications occurring perpendicularly to the underlying cortex (15,16).

A controversial point in the literature is whether PC really is an entity distinct from periosteal osteosarcoma (10). Chondrosarcoma, including the periosteal type, contains no malignant osteoid or bone tumoral formation. Moreover, in long bones they present less aggressive, painful and run a slower course than the periosteal osteosarcomas (15). Radiographically, radiopaque striations (spicules) perpendicular to the relatively normal underlying cortex, a common feature of periosteal osteosarcoma, are absent in almost all cases of PC. In our case, the presence of a well-defined soft tissue with spotty densities reinforces the diagnosis of PC (4,6,7,10,15,16).

Treatment of choice for long bones PC is en-bloc resection with a wide margin of normal soft tissue and bone. The use of radiotherapy in the treatment of chrondrosarcomas is a contentious question in the literature and has been applied as a complementary therapy in cases of high grade tumor to control unresectable tumors as those sited on the base of skull. However, for well and moderate differentiated lesions as well as PC radiotherapy has been considered unnecessary. Therefore, the use of radiotherapy in the present case might be argued, since it is an unusual therapeutic procedure for PC. However, it was indicated due the size of the tumor and soft tissue invasion by the lesion. The prognoses for the long bones PC seem to be much better than central chondrosarcomas of similar grade of malignancy and the majority is diagnosed as grade I or II lesion. Metastases are uncommon, even in cases of medullary involvement (6-10). However, recurrences and distant metastasis (lung, brain and lymph node) for long bones PC have been reported in cases of inadequate primary treatment and for those tumors with presence of tumoral dedifferentiation (grade II and III) (5,9,10,13). In the case described by Van Damme et al. (11), a ten-year tumor-free follow-up was verified which pointed out an indolent behavior for the tumor. Unfortunately, in our case, the follow-up was only of 18 months. At that time, no clinical evidence of aggressive tumoral behavior could be noted.

To date, there are no data to support a different biological behavior of head and neck PC compared with long bones PC (2,4). Therefore, given the rarity of PC, multicenter trials will be required to develop standardized protocols to distinguish this lesion from other surface tumors, and to evaluate its behavior when it occurs in the head and neck region.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to thank the funding agencies CNPq and FAPEMIG for financial support.

Accepted October 13, 2009

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  04 Feb 2010
• Date of issue
  2009

History

• Accepted
  13 Oct 2009
• Received
  13 Oct 2009