How is chondrosarcoma diagnosed?

How is chondrosarcoma diagnosed?

To diagnose chondrosarcoma, your healthcare provider will often first use X-rays to view images of your bones. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CT (computed tomography) scans provide more detailed images of the areas around your bones and are usually obtained before any treatment.

To confirm the diagnosis, your healthcare provider will perform a biopsy, where a small piece of tissue is removed from the bone to be examined under a microscope. Pathologists then look at your tissue under a microscope. This process is sometimes called histology and is done to learn more about your chondrosarcoma. For example, pathologists confirm your tumor started in your cartilage instead of spreading to there from another area in your body. They also determine your chondrosarcoma’s grade, which is a measure of how fast your tumor is likely to grow. This information helps providers set your treatment plan.