Clear Cell Chondrosarcoma of Bone: A Report of Three Cases with Immunohistochemical and Affinity Histochemical Observations

Abstract

Clear cell chondrosarcoma, a subtype and separate entity from the traditional chondrosarcoma, is characterized by its special histologic features, site of predilection, slow growth and better prognosis. Three cases are presented with elucidation of clinicopathologic correlation and detection by the ABC immunohistochemical method using several antibodies. The observation of positive reaction to S-100 protein (S-100), vimentin (Vim), alpha 1-antichymotrypsin (AACT) and lysozyme (Lyso) by the tumor cells of clear cell chondrosarcoma, similar to traditional chondrosarcoma and chondroblastoma, proves that this tumor has its origin in the cartilaginous tissue. It was found for the first time that the clear cell chondrosarcoma was positive for wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and concanavalin A (Con A). The authors believe that clear cell chondrosarcoma may result from the anaplastic changes of chondroblastoma cells into another subtype of that tumor. The osteoclast-like multinucleated giant cells (MGC), retaining the antigens of phagocytes, are not considered to be neoplastic.