1. Chondrosarcoma is a neoplasm of slow growth that usually kills by local enlargement but that may metastasize through the blood stream or the lymphatic system. It is important to differentiate it from the non-malignant chondromatous variants.
2. Microscopic examination of biopsy material permits prediction of malignant course.
3. Local control of the tumor by adequate surgical treatment is the chief problem in therapy. Recurrence of the tumor in the proximal part of the extremity or in the trunk represents an irrevocable failure of treatment in most cases.
4. The ease with which chondrosarcoma implants locally in surgical wounds, including biopsy wounds, constitutes a major problem in management.
5. Conclusions as to the results of treatment of chondrosarcoma that are based on follow-up periods of less than ten years after the last surgical treatment are invalid.
6. Osteogenic sarcoma with a prominent chondroid component should not be grouped with chondrosarcoma.