Chondroblastoma, also known as Codman’s tumor, is a very rare non-cancerous bone tumor that develops in the cartilage, appears more often in male children and young adults, and mainly affects the ends of long bones near the growth plate in the arm, hip, or knee. Although chondroblastoma is a benign tumor, it can still spread (metastasize) to the lungs.

The symptoms of chondroblastoma depend on the tumor’s location, with pain in the shoulder, hip, or knee joint being the most frequent symptom, followed by a wasting or shrinking (atrophy) of the muscle near the affected bone, decreased mobility of the associated joint, and fluid buildup surrounding the affected bone. Additional symptoms may include joint swelling or stiffness and limping.

The pain associated with chondroblastoma may be initially treated with over-the-counter acetaminophen and ibuprofen. However, a chondroblastoma will continue to grow, so the main treatment is surgical removal of the tumor, usually by curettage (scraping of tumor), to prevent damage to the growth plate of the bone. In addition to removal of the tumor, surgical treatment for chondroblastoma may include bone grafting, bone cement, the use of plates or screws, or reconstruction of a damaged joint. After surgery, physical therapy is necessary to improve joint strength and function, as well as long-term follow-up to monitor for tumor recurrence. If a chondroblastoma cannot be removed with surgery, non-surgical treatments may include radiofrequency ablation, cryotherapy, or both. Chondroblastoma that has spread to the lungs is treated with surgical removal of the affected area or organ, which usually provides a cure.