Chondroblastoma, sometimes called Codman’s tumor, is a rare type of benign (non-cancerous) bone tumor that is comprised of chondroblasts (cartilage cells). It commonly affects children and young adults and is usually found at the ends of the bone. It can be quite painful.
At the Orthopaedic Oncology Center at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, our doctors are experts in treating this rare condition, which often involves surgery. We treat more patients with chondroblastoma than any other center in South Jersey. We’ll work with you to ensure a comprehensive evaluation, accurate diagnosis, and treatment approach that’s best for your circumstances — supporting you every step of the way.
Why Choose MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper for Orthopaedic Oncology Care?
When you choose MD Anderson at Cooper for orthopaedic oncology care, you benefit from our expert orthopaedic oncology team. You’ll benefit from:
- Expertise: In a region that boasts some of the nation’s finest medical centers, our cancer and orthopaedic specialists have been recognized as “Top Doctors” by the regional media. Our cancer care team has extensive training and experience in this highly specialized field, so you can be confident we’ll provide a high level of care.
- Experience: Because bone tumors are so rare, you’ll want to see doctors who have a lot of experience treating these conditions. Our specialists perform more than 600 surgeries every year, more than any other center in the region. You can trust us to find the most effective treatment for your specific circumstances.
- Personalized care: Our specialists have devoted their careers to treating patients like you, and we treat every patient like family. We’ll answer every question and address every concern, from the moment we meet you.
- Team approach to treatment: You’ll receive individualized care, tailored to your specific needs. Our specialists, including orthopaedic oncologists, musculoskeletal radiologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, nurses, and other professionals, pool their expertise to develop a unique treatment plan for every patient.
- Access to clinical trials: With the backing of MD Anderson Cancer Center, one of the nation’s pioneers in medical oncology research and development, our doctors are active in a wide variety of clinical trials. All patients at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper are candidates for promising, cutting-edge treatment options that may not be available anywhere else in the region.
- Advanced diagnostic capabilities: We have access to many advanced diagnostic tests that can accurately detect chondroblastoma. Your doctor may use a combination of imaging scans such as MRI or other specialized testes to provide the correct diagnosis.
- Comprehensive follow-up: Because certain benign bone tumors can come back after treatment, it’s important for your doctor to monitor you closely long term. Our doctors will work with you to manage your care as long as necessary, ensuring you are satisfied with the result. Unique to our practice, we make sure an attending surgeon is always on call to help you with any emergencies or concerns that may come up after hours.
Symptoms of Chondroblastoma
Symptoms of chondroblastoma may vary depending on where the tumor is located. However, pain in the area of the tumor is almost always present. You should always consult your doctor if any symptoms persist or concern you.
Some of the more common symptoms of chondroblastoma include:
- Pain in the knee, hip, and/or shoulder joint, especially pain that sticks around for months or years
- A muscle that looks withered or shrunken, near the affected bone
- Problems moving the joint close to the affected bone
- A buildup of fluid in the joint nearest to the affected bone
Treatment for Chondroblastoma
Your doctors will consider many different factors before determining a treatment plan for you. These factors include:
- Your age, overall health, and medical history
- Extent of the disease
- How well you tolerate specific medications, procedures, or therapies
- How the disease might progress
- Your preferences and goals
When recommending treatment for chondroblastoma, the goal is to remove the tumor and prevent damage to the end of the affected bone where the tumor is found. Treatment may include:
- Surgery, to remove the tumor or replace an affected joint
- Bone grafting, which is a surgical procedure where healthy bone from another part of your body gets transplanted into the affected area to repair damaged bone
- Physical therapy, which can restore your strength and function after surgery
Contact Us
To learn more about the chondroblastoma services available at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper or to schedule an appointment, please call 856.361.1754.
Refer a Patient
If you are a doctor who wants to refer a patient to MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper for chondroblastoma treatment, please call 856.361.1754.