Surgery and radiation management for chondrosarcoma of the temporo-mandibular joint: A Vietnamese case report

INTRODUCTION: Chondrosarcoma is a malignant tumor originated from cartilage cells. The most common sites of chondrosarcoma are pelvis, femur and ribs. The temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) chondrosarcoma is extremely rare, with approximately 30 cases reported in worldwide. PRESENTATION OF CASE: In this report, we present a case of chondrosarcoma in the left TMJ, which was successfully treated with surgery and radiation therapy. A 47 year-old women was admitted to our hospital with a mass in left pre-auricular region. On examination and para-clinical test results, the initial diagnosis was parotid gland cancer. In operation, the lesion was a mass originating from the left TMJ. Tumor resection was performed with close margin. The post-operative pathological result was well-differentiated chondrosarcoma. She was indicated adjuvant radiation therapy due to inadequate surgical therapy. There was no evidence of recurrence after 6 months follow-up. CONCLUSION: The TMJ chondrosarcoma is needed to distinguish from other diseases especially parotid gland tumor. Surgery and adjuvant radiation therapy are standard care with the aim of preserving joint function. (C) 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of IJS Publishing Group Ltd.