Enchondroma

Enchondroma is a type of benign bone tumor belonging to the group of cartilage tumors. There may be no symptoms, or it may present typically in the short tubular bones of the hands with a swelling, pain or pathological fracture.

Diagnosis is by X-ray, CT scan and sometimes MRI. Most occur as a less than three centimetre size single tumor. When several occur in one long bone or several bones, the syndrome is called enchondromatosis.

Where there are no symptoms, treatment is often not needed. If treatment is required, curettage may be performed. Less than 1% become malignant, unless part of a syndrome.

They comprise around 30% of cartilage tumors. 90% of tumors in the hand are enchondromas.