Chondroblastoma: varied histologic appearance,potential diagnostic pitfalls,and clinicopathologic features associated with local recurrence

Chondroblastoma is a rare, benign bone tumor. Although it has distinctive clinicopathologic features, its wide morphologic spectrum may pose diagnostic problems. We present the clinicopathologic features of 42 patients (28 males, 14 females; age range, 8 to 66 years), with emphasis on unusual histologic features, potential diagnostic pitfalls, and factors associated with recurrence. Thirty-four tumors were in long bones, with the most common site being the proximal femur. Unusual histologic features included the presence of atypical, epithelioid, spindle, and foamy cells and necrosis and a diffuse basophilic myxoid matrix. Tumors with focal osteoclast-like giant cell rich areas (n = 11), prominent cystic change (n = 8) and extensive fibromyxoid areas (n = 3) resembled giant cell tumors, aneurysmal bone cysts, and chondromyxoid fibromas, respectively. The diagnosis of referring pathologists was inaccurate in 34% of cases. Six patients (14%) had local recurrence. The only clinical feature significantly associated with increased risk of local recurrence was duration of symptoms for less than 6 months (log rank P =.003). None of the histologic features was significantly associated with recurrence. These included worrisome features such as cellular atypia, necrosis, and mitoses. None of the patients had metastases. An increased awareness of the morphologic spectrum of chondroblastomas will enable pathologists to avoid diagnostic pitfalls. We emphasize the need for a combined clinical, radiologic and histologic approach to the diagnosis of chondroblastomas.