Cervical Chondrosarcoma Presenting as a Painless Neck Mass: A Case Report

Chondrosarcoma is a rare primary malignant tumor of the bone that typically presents with pain. Diagnosis may be challenging when patients present with a long-standing painless mass. We report a case of cervical chondrosarcoma to emphasize the importance of early recognition and management in optimizing outcomes. A 50-year-old man presented with a one-year history of a neck mass. Examination demonstrated a fixed, non-tender left posterior neck mass measuring approximately 5 x 2 cm without associated cervical, occipital, submandibular, submental, or supraclavicular lymphadenopathy. Imaging revealed an expansile lesion in the upper cervical spine without spinal canal involvement. Computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsy confirmed a low-grade cartilaginous neoplasm. The patient subsequently underwent a C2-3 laminectomy with en bloc tumor resection. Final pathology demonstrated low-grade chondrosarcoma with negative margins. There was no evidence of recurrence at 12-month follow-up. It is important to expand the differential for persistent neck masses, as early identification of chondrosarcoma facilitates definitive surgical management. Given the tumor's relative resistance to chemotherapy and radiation, complete surgical resection remains the foundation of treatment and the primary determinant of outcome.