Elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase in clear cell chondrosarcoma of bone.
BACKGROUND
Clear cell chondrosarcoma is a rare bone tumor, which is sometimes misdiagnosed as a different bone neoplasm.


METHODS
The files of 6 patients with clear cell chondrosarcomas were reviewed. Histological slides, radiographic studies, and pre- and post-operative serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were evaluated. Molecular and histochemical analyses of ALP were documented in one case of clear cell chondrosarcoma.


RESULTS
Pre-operative serum ALP levels were elevated in 3 patients, and were normal in another 3 patients. After removal of the tumors, the enzyme levels decreased in all patients and returned to normal in 3 patients, who had pre-operative high ALP levels. Enzyme histochemical and molecular analyses demonstrated that the tumor produced ALP.


CONCLUSIONS
Clear cell chondrosarcoma produces ALP, which can be used as a tumor marker in diagnosis and follow-up.
Ogose
A
A
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Niigata University School of Medicine, Asahimachi 1-751, Niigata 951-8510, Japan.
Hotta
T
T
Kawashima
H
H
Hatano
H
H
Umezu
H
H
Inoue
Y
Y
Endo
N
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002804:Chondroblastoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology; D002813:Chondrosarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005870:Giant Cell Tumors / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D010014:Osteolysis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011859:Radiography
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase