Chondrosarcoma of Ureter in an Elderly Patient: A Case Report

Medicina (Kaunas). 2023 Feb 24;59(3):454. doi: 10.3390/medicina59030454.

Abstract

Chondrosarcoma is a rare type of cancer that can affect the upper urinary tract. Because of its rarity, the clinical presentation of chondrosarcoma can be similar to other urinary tract conditions, such as renal colic, hematuria, and urothelial carcinoma. The primary treatment for chondrosarcoma is the surgical removal of the tumor, and radiation or chemotherapy may be used for advanced cases. However, because of the limited number of patients with this condition, there are no established guidelines for chemotherapy, and the outcomes are unclear. In this case, we present a 71-year-old female patient who was diagnosed with ureteral chondrosarcoma. She presented with abdominal pain and hydronephrosis, and a tumor was found beneath a small stone. The patient underwent nephroureterectomy and received oral fluorouracil chemotherapy due to the advanced stage of the disease. Fortunately, the patient survived, and at the 7 months post-operative follow-up there was no evidence of recurrence. In conclusion, the chondrosarcoma of the upper urinary tract is a rare condition that can be difficult to diagnose due to its similarity to other urinary tract conditions. Treatment typically involves the surgical removal of the tumor, with radiation or chemotherapy reserved for advanced cases. However, because of the limited number of patients, there are no established guidelines for chemotherapy, and the outcomes of treatment are unclear.

Keywords: chondrosarcoma; fluorouracil; nephroureterectomy; stone; ureter.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Bone Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell*
  • Chondrosarcoma* / diagnosis
  • Chondrosarcoma* / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Nephrectomy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Ureter* / pathology
  • Ureteral Neoplasms* / complications
  • Ureteral Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Ureteral Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms*

Grants and funding

This work was supported in part by China Medical University (DMR-112-100) and Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST 111-2320-B-039-022).