Anatomical Reconstruction of the Acromion Using an Autologous Iliac Crest Graft for Treatment of Recurrent Chondroblastoma: A Case Report

Sacral chondroblastoma — a rare location, a rare pathology: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Chondroblastoma (CB) is an intermediate tumor of cartilage origin. CB involving the sacrum is a very rare pathology.

CASE SUMMARY

A 17-year-old male with sacral CB was diagnosed as CB during the first surgery, and 18 mo later, the tumor recurred and a second surgery was performed with the same pathology result of CB.

CONCLUSION

We recommend complete removal of the tumor in a timely manner, provided that surgical conditions are met. At the same time, other diseases should be carefully differentiated in terms of imaging or pathological features so as to avoid erroneous diagnostic conclusions.

Prognostic Significance of Tumor-Associated Macrophages in Chondroblastoma and Their Association with Response to Adjuvant Radiotherapy

Objective

Chondroblastoma (CB) is a rare and locally growing cartilage-derived tumor. Currently, clinical implications of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in CB remain unclear. In this study, we sought to analyze the relationship between TAM parameters (including densities of CD68+ and CD163+ cells as well as the CD163+/CD68+ ratio) and clinicopathological characteristics and survival of patients.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry was used to assess TAM subtypes for CD68 and CD163, as well as the expression levels of p53, CD34, and Ki-67 on tumor cells in 132 tissue specimens retrieved between July 2002 and April 2020. Then, TAM parameters were retrospectively analyzed for their associations with patient outcomes (local recurrence-free survival [LRFS] and overall survival [OS]) and clinicopathological features.

Results

TAM densities were significantly higher in axial chondroblastoma tissue than in extra-axial chondroblastoma tissue. Moreover, the number of CD163+ TAMs was positively correlated with tumor invasion of surrounding tissues and high expression of CD34 and Ki-67 on tumor cells, whereas CD163+ cell density and the CD163/CD68 ratio were negatively associated with patient response to adjuvant radiotherapy. Univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the number of CD68+ and CD163+ lymphocytes was significantly associated with both LRFS and OS. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that CD163+ and CD68+ cell levels were independent prognostic factors of LRFS, while TAM data independently predicted OS. More importantly, in subgroup analysis based on three significant factors in univariate survival analysis (including tumor location, adjuvant radiotherapy, and surrounding tissue invasion by tumors), the TAM parameters still displayed good prognostic performance.

Conclusion

These data suggest that TAM may significantly affect the biological behavior of CB. We hypothesize that modulating the TAM level or polarization status in the microenvironment may be an effective approach for CB treatment.