[Chondrosarcoma of the sphenoethmoid complex: Case report].

BACKGROUND: Chondrosarcomas are rare malignant mesenchymal tumors of unknown etiology. Only 5 to 10 % appear in the head and neck region.

PATIENT AND RESULTS: We report the case of a 63 year old woman with a chondrosarcoma of the sphenoethmoidal complex extending into the anterior cranial fossa. The tumor was subtotally resected via an osteoplastic lateral rhinotomy. Postoperatively, a fractionated radiation therapy with carbon ions (Schwerionen) was applied. There was no evidence of recurrence one year after therapy.

CONCLUSION: Recent prognostic improvements of skull base chondrosarcomas by combination of skull base surgery and innovative radiation therapy are discussed and the literature is presented.