Enchondroma is one type of benign bone tumor, that’s made up of cartilage. Cartilage is the connective tissue from which bones develop. These tumors are common and typically arise in the small bones of your hand and feet during childhood.
Because these bone tumors are frequently painless the discovery of an enchondroma is often during an examination for some other health condition. Although, enlarged finger, fracture or deformity may indicate the presence of this tumor.
In rare cases, multiple enchondroma tumors can appear as part Ollier’s disease and Maffucci’s syndrome. And rarer still, a endochondroma can become cancerous, usually the type of bone cancer known as chondrosarcoma.
Most enchondromas require no treatment and are monitored for growth or cancer. Those that do cause health issues, can be surgically removed by scrapping it out and then filling the area, like with a bone graft.
The primary issue with this bone tumor is your health care provider making the determination as to whether it’s an enchondroma or chondrosarcoma. And bone pain is often indicative of the later.