Enchondroma

Enchondromas are non-cancerous cartilage tumors that can occur in the arms and legs.

• Enchondromas are the most common type of bone tumor in the hand.
• Boys and girls of any racial background can be affected.
• In general, enchondromas appear in adolescence or early adulthood.
• Most researchers believe that enchondromas occur as a result of abnormal growth of the cartilage from the growth plate at the ends of the bones.
• Others believe that enchondromas grow from pockets of embryonic cartilage.

Support for your family

We understand that you may have a lot of questions when your child is diagnosed with an enchondroma. Is it cancer? Will it spread? What do we do next? We’ve tried to provide some answers to those questions in the following pages. Also, specialists at Children’s Hospital Boston often put patients and their families in touch with other families with children who have experienced this condition.