Chondrosarcoma of the temporomandibular joint: A case report and review of the literature

Chondrosarcoma is a malignant tumor originating in cartilaginous cells and retaining this nature throughout its evolution.(1) Next to osteogenic sarcoma, chondrosarcoma is the most common bone tumor.(2,3) However, it is rare among the bones of the facial skeleton (1.4%)(2,4) when compared with the pelvis, ribs, femur, and humerus.(5,6) In this area, there is greater involvement of the maxillo-nasal region than of the mandible,(7,8) because of the probable origin of the tumor from the cartilaginous portion of the nose.(9) The occurrence of chondrosarcoma in the TMJ is an exceptional event, with only 12 cases reported in literature (Table 1). The following is a report of such a case.