Chondrosarcoma of the hyoid bone

Abstract

Chondrosarcoma of the head and neck is relatively rare. We report the sixth case known to us in which the chondrosarcoma had originated in the hyoid bone. The patient, a 66-year-old man, underwent surgery. The resected tumour was a 5 cm encapsulated lesion composed of lobulated, firm, gray-white tissue. Histologically it showed mature chondrocytes without capsular invasion. There was high cellularity and a few binucleated chondrocytes. Although the tumour grade was prognostic significance, our literature review of the five other cases suggests that the location of the primary lesion and the adequacy of its resection to be more important. Our patient continues to do well 15 months post-operatively. However, long-term follow-up is essential as recurrences have been reported even after eight or 10 years.