Victoria’s Story

Chondrosarcoma at the Sternum
Age at Diagnosis: 51
Year of Diagnosis: 2004

Diagnosis: I am a 51 year old nurse who had a growth at the top of my sternum for 2 years. Over that time I asked several doctors who did not know what it was, and said not to worry. At one point, a nurse practitioner ordered a chest x-ray and since nothing showed up on it, she also said not to worry. I have asthma and see a pulmonologist every year so when I came back for the second year and it was still there, he ordered a CT scan. On Dec.14th of 2004 the CT report indicated a 2.7 cm tumor, possible chondrosarcoma and recommended biopsy. He referred me to a surgeon. Read more

Jehuda’s Story

Chondrosarcoma at the Pelvis
Age at Diagnosis: 50
Year of Diagnosis: 2004
Location: Israel
Surgeon: Dr. Franklin Sim, Minnesota

Diagnosis: I saw a doctor November of 2003 and received a final diagnosis in March of 2004. The tests that were done were: Palpation, CT’s, bone scan, x-rays. The diagnosis was: Chondrosarcoma, grade I, inside the abductor muscle of the right thigh, growing from the the right pubic bone, originating from an enchondroma, which existed already for at least thirty years. I first noted problems in 1999, but only when I was sitting uncomfortably on long bus trips. In the fall of 2003, I relatively suddenly got more pains and stiffness in the right groin.

Treatment: Surgical removal in May 2004 (right hemipelvectomy) by Dr. Franklin Sim, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. The tumor was 12cm x 8cm x 7cm. I had a very good experience (10 days). Revalidation in nursery home for the elderly, almost as good as the Mayo clinic (16 days). Stayed an other 14 days with friends, then flew back to Israel. No other treatments. Read more

Elaine’s Story

Myxoid Chondrosarcoma at the Pelvis – with lung mets
Age at Diagnosis: 52
Year of Diagnosis: 1999
Surgeon: Dr. Alan Yasko, Houston

Diagnosis: After several months of pain down my left leg which was similar to the pain I had in 1983 from a ruptured disc, I went to see an orthopedic in October, 1998. He made x-rays in his office and told me that I had a “calcium deposit” in my left hip area and the pain was just something I would have to “live with.” He suggested I see a pain management doctor for possible injections. As long as I was up moving, my pain was less, so I began walking 3 miles 4 or 5 times a week. I found I could not sit on the floor or in a metal chair as within minutes the pain would become unbearable. As 1999 came, my pain progressed to the point that my nights were spent in a recliner as I could get enough relief to allow a few hours sleep. Over-the-counter meds such as ibuprofen and tylenol were taken on a regular basis. By May, 1999, I could feel a significant growth near my waist on the left wide just above my pelvic bone. Sitting was becoming very painful. I quit my job in June, 1999, as it involved sitting at a computer for hours. As the summer passed, the pain became almost constant and the area near my waist became larger. On October 14, 1999, I had an appointment with the neurosurgeon who had performed my previous back surgery. I told him that “I can’t live like this.” He recommended that I have an MRI done. [My first granddaughter was born on October 13, 1999.] The MRI was done and I returned to the neurosurgeon’s office about October 20, 1999, when I received the news that there was a very large mass in my left pelvic area. A needle biopsy was scheduled within the next couple of days. The diagnosis was chondrosarcoma. An appointment was made for November 9, 1999, at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center with Dr. Alan Yaskco, Chief Orthopedic Surgeon. Surgery was scheduled for November 29, 1999. Read more

Barbara’s Story

Chondrosarcoma at the Chest Wall
Age at Diagnosis: 56
Year of Diagnosis: 2003

I was hospitalized September 13, 2003. I knew something was growing on my chest, but for whatever, reason, I ignored it. Then, God decided to do something about it for me. A huge blood like blistered formed on my chest and burst through the chest wall. This was the tumor that had become infected. I had numerous cat scans and bone scans, and x-rays. During this time I developed pneumonia and dehydration. I had no treatment until January 27, 2003.

Treatment: I went to several major medical center and university hospitals for opinions. I was sent to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. We remained there for 95 days while I underwent pre-op rehabilitation to make me stronger for the surgery. On January 27, 2004 I underwent surgery for the removal of a 17 pound tumor, four ribs were removed, and part of my sternum. They inserted a mesh and did a tissue graft from my back to close up the hole left by the diseased tissue after they took a muscle from my back to put over the mesh. I was on life support for five or six days. I am now cancer free, 15 months. I did not have to have any kind of chemo or radiation. My lungs are being monitored now by a sarcoma specialist. This will continue for a few years. Read more