In 40 different types of cartilaginous
tumors, the number of binuclear cells was calculated and
DNA content was examined using fluorescent Feulgen cytophotometric technique. In 7
enchondromas and 1
synovial chondromatosis, the
DNA content was diploid in 7 and hypotetraploid in 1, and showed a unimodal normal distribution. The number of binuclear cells was 0.1-0.45%, and the mean
DNA content was below 4. These cases showed no evidence of disease after
curettage and bone graft. The follow-up period was from 4 years 6 months to 7 years 1 month, averaging 6 years 2 months. In 2
enchondromatoses and 2 benign
chondroblastomas, the
DNA content was diploid and showed a unimodal normal distribution. One chondromyxoid
fibroma showed a broad-unimodal
tetraploid distribution, and one benign
chondroblastoma showed a broad-
aneuploid distribution. The nuclear
DNA content was sometimes histologically similar to that of
chondrosarcoma in some benign cartilaginous
tumors. In 5 secondary
chondrosarcomas, the
DNA content was hypo- or hypertetraploid, hexaploid, and showed broad-unimodal or broad-bimodal distribution. The number of binuclear cells was from 13% to 23%. Although the size of the nucleus was small, the number of binuclear cells was evidently numerous. The preferred treatment for secondary
chondrosarcoma is principally wide resection, but
amputation is sometimes indicated in cases of recurrence and large
tumor size. The follow-up period was from 2 years 2 months to 18 years 11 months, averaging 9 years 11 months. All 5 patients were surviving at the time of follow-up. The
DNA content in
chondrosarcoma was mostly hypo- or hypertetraploid, hexaploid, or octaploid and showed broad-unimodal, broad-bimodal or broad-
aneuploid distribution. The number of binuclear cells was 0.55-3.5%. The mean
DNA content was proportional to the number of binuclear cells, the positive correlation between the mean
DNA content and the number of binuclear cells was found (p less than 1%).