Chondromyxoid fibroma of the second rib

Unraveling molecular signatures in rare bone tumors and navigating the cancer pathway landscapes for targeted therapeutics

Rare cancers (RCs), which account for over 20% of cancer cases, face significant research and treatment challenges due to their limited prevalence. This results in suboptimal outcomes compared to more common malignancies. Rare bone tumors (RBTs) constitute 5-10% of rare cancer cases and pose unique diagnostic complexities. The therapeutic potential of anti-cancer drugs for RBTs remains largely unexplored. Identifying molecular alterations in cancer-related genes and their associated pathways is essential for precision medicine in RBTs. Small molecule inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies targeting specific RBT-associated proteins show promise. Ongoing clinical trials aim to define RBT biomarkers, subtypes, and optimal treatment contexts, including combination therapies and immunotherapeutic agents. This review addresses the challenges in diagnosing, treating, and studying RBTs, shedding light on the current state of RBT biomarkers, potential therapeutic targets, and promising inhibitors. Rare cancers demand attention and innovative solutions to improve clinical outcomes.

Chondromyxoid fibroma: A rare benign tumor with potential for local recurrence

Chondromyxoid fibroma is one of the rarest benign cartilaginous tumors accounting for less than 0.5% of bone tumors and mostly found in the metaphysis of long bones. Diagnosis is by histology showing lobular pattern with stellate-shaped cells in a myxoid or chondroid background. Often they can be misdiagnosed as chondrosarcomas. Recommended treatment approach is surgically excision due to the high risk of malignancy. Although benign, local recurrence is common as presented from this case report.

Chondroblastoma of the rib in a 47-year-old man: a case report with a systematic review of literature

Chondroblastoma is an uncommon benign bone tumour arising typically in the epiphysis. Few cases of chondroblastoma of the rib have been reported in the literature. We describe a case of chondroblastoma of a 47-year-old man located in the body of the IX right rib. The patient presented a moderate right thoracic pain with an apparently palpable mass. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed a well-defined oval 49 mm × 43 mm lesion with the lytic bone destruction of the rib. A surgical resection was performed with an excellent outcome and no recurrence after 4-year follow-up. We also conducted a systematic review of literature where we evidenced that chondroblastoma could affect people of all age, but it's most common in children and young adult. Surgical resection constitutes the treatment of choice.

Benign Bone Conditions That May Be FDG-avid and Mimic Malignancy

Positron emission tomography with the radiotracer ¹⁸F-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) plays an important role in the evaluation of bone pathology. However, FDG is not a cancer-specific agent, and knowledge of the differential diagnosis of benign FDG-avid bone alterations that may resemble malignancy is important for correct patient management, including the avoidance of unnecessary additional invasive tests such as bone biopsy. This review summarizes and illustrates the spectrum of benign bone conditions that may be FDG-avid and mimic malignancy, including osteomyelitis, bone lesions due to benign systemic diseases (Brown tumor, Erdheim-Chester disease, Gaucher disease, gout and other types of arthritis, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, and sarcoidosis), benign primary bone lesions (bone cysts, chondroblastoma, chondromyxoid fibroma, desmoplastic fibroma, enchondroma, giant cell tumor and granuloma, hemangioma, nonossifying fibroma, and osteoid osteoma and osteoblastoma), and a group of miscellaneous benign bone conditions (post bone marrow biopsy or harvest status, bone marrow hyperplasia, fibrous dysplasia, fractures, osteonecrosis, Paget disease of bone, particle disease, and Schmorl nodes). Several ancillary clinical and imaging findings may be helpful in discriminating benign from malignant FDG-avid bone lesions. However, this distinction is sometimes difficult or even impossible, and tissue acquisition will be required to establish the final diagnosis.

Chondromyxoid Fibroma: An Unusual Tumour at An Atypical Location

Rib tumours are mostly secondaries arising from breast or prostrate malignancies. Among primary rib tumours, osteochondromas are reported as the commonest cause. Chondromyxoid fibromas are primary benign rib tumours that are seldom seen, occurring almost exclusively at the metaphyseal ends of large tubular bones. Here a case of chondromyxoid fibroma of rib, its clinical and radiological features, management and prognosis, is discussed which has only an occasional mention in literature.