Chondrosarcoma in Proximal Humerus: The First Reported Case in Lebanon and the Middle East of a Female Treated with MUTARS® Shoulder Hemiarthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION

The incidence of chondrosarcomas is relatively high as it comes second to multiple myeloma as the most common primary malignant bony neoplasms in adults. They tend to occur mostly in the axial skeleton. Hence, they rarely develop in the proximal humerus. Although imaging can aid in the diagnosis of chondrosarcoma, histopathology is the cornerstone that correlates with prognosis and guides us toward the most appropriate treatment modality. Surgical treatment is the best option for chondrosarcomas as most of them are resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It is really challenging to settle on one surgical technique for proximal humerus chondrosarcomas as surgeons must balance between saving the patient from the oncological process and maintaining a good function of the shoulder joint.

CASE REPORT: We present herein a rare case, the first in Lebanon, of chondrosarcoma hitting the left proximal humerus of a 62-year-old lady successfully managed by operative resection and reconstruction with a cemented shoulder hemiarthroplasty using the Modular Universal Tumor and Revision System (MUTARS®) system.

CONCLUSION

Chondrosarcomas are relatively rare. Their resistance to chemotherapy and radiation therapy in addition to their proximal humerus localization is troublesome for both the patient and the surgeon. Hence, a relatively new technique (first in Lebanon and the Middle East), the MUTARS shoulder hemiarthroplasty is found to have promising results on terms of morbidity and mortality for the patient when indicated and properly done.