Abstract
Chondrosarcomas are the second most common primary malignant bone tumors. Head and
neck chondrosarcomas constitute less than 10% of these tumors, rarely arising from
the nasal septum. These are locally aggressive malignant tumors arising from the cartilaginous
framework of the nasal septum. Rarity of the tumor coupled with nonspecific symptoms
makes it a diagnostic dilemma. Diagnosis requires endoscopy, radiology, and final
histopathology for confirmation. Treatment is mainly surgical, requiring complete
surgical excision with clear margins. Radiation has a role in unresectable tumors
or for tumors with positive margins after surgery. Survival depends on the grade of
tumor that predicts the metastatic potential of the tumor. We present a rare case
of chondrosarcoma arising from the nasal septum in a 29-year-old young female presenting
with complaints of nasal obstruction. Computed tomography was suggestive of a calcified
cartilaginous tumor arising from the nasal septum. Endoscopic excision was done and
postoperative histopathology showed grade II chondrosarcoma with clear margins. No
adjuvant treatment was given to our patient and 2 years post-excision patient is disease
free.
To conclude, chondrosarcoma of the nasal septum is a rare tumor, with nonspecific
symptoms. Surgery with clear margins remains the treatment of choice. Prognosis depends
on the extent of tumor at presentation, resection margins, and grade of tumor.
Keywords
malignant - cartilage - head and neck - grade - treatment
