Introduction:

Clear cell chondrosarcomas are a rare type of low-grade chondrosarcoma. Unlike conventional chondrosarcomas, these tumors occur mainly in the epiphyses of long bones, especially in the proximal femur and proximal humerus. Given their lytic characteristics with a cystic appearance, they can be mistaken for bone cysts and diagnosed late. Diagnosis must be made based on histopa-thology and immunohistochemistry. Likewise, negativity for cytokeratins and anti-endomysial antibodies are tools to rule out the differential diagnosis of metastasis. The treatment of this low-grade chondral lesion is surgical, either with intralesional management or complete resection.

Case presentation:

This is the case of a 46-year-old woman who consulted the orthopedic oncology service of a quaternary care institution due to medial knee pain at the level of the proximal tibia for 8 months. Diagnostic imaging studies showed a cystic lesion in the lateral tibial plateau; a biopsy of the lesion was performed, and clear cell chondrosarcoma was diagnosed based on histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Surgical management included tumor-free resection margins and reconstruction of the bone defect with a structural allograft of the proximal tibia. The patient progressed satisfactorily.

Conclusions:

This was the case of a patient with a subtype of low-grade chondrosarcoma that is rare in incidence and location, who was diagnosed based on immunohistochemistry and treated surgically to achieve a successful limb salvage.

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