Editing Chondrosarcoma (section)

==Diagnosis==
[[File:mrichondrosarcoma.jpg|right|thumb|MRI of a left-pelvis chondrosarcoma in a 26-year-old male]]

[[File:Metastatic chondrosarcoma at the lower lip.jpg|thumb|Metastatic chondrosarcoma at the lower lip]]
Imaging studies – including [[radiographs]] ("x-rays"), [[computerized tomography]] (CT), and [[magnetic resonance imaging]] (MRI) – are often used to make a presumptive [[diagnosis]] of chondrosarcoma.<ref>[http://www.claripacs.com/a.php?a=91 CT scan and gross pathology of a chondrosarcoma] 2012-12-18</ref> However, a definitive diagnosis depends on the identification of malignant cancer cells producing cartilage in a [[biopsy]] specimen that has been examined by a [[pathologist]]. In a few cases, usually of highly anaplastic tumors, [[immunohistochemistry]] (IHC) is required.{{cn|date=October 2020}}

There are no blood tests currently available to enable an oncologist to render a diagnosis of chondrosarcoma.  The most characteristic imaging findings are usually obtained with CT.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lecturio.com/concepts/chondrosarcoma/| title=Chondrosarcoma | website=The Lecturio Medical Concept Library |access-date= 8 July 2021}}</ref>

Nearly all chondrosarcoma patients appear to be in good health. Often, patients are not aware of the growing tumor until there is a noticeable lump or pain. Earlier diagnosis is generally accidental when a patient undergoes testing for another problem and physicians discover cancer. Occasionally the first symptom will be a broken bone at the cancerous site. Any broken bone that occurs from mild trauma warrants further investigation, although there are many conditions that can lead to weak bones, and this form of cancer is not a common cause of such breaks.{{cn|date=October 2020}}