Management of cranial base chondrosarcomas.

Objective: Chondrosarcomas are rare, infiltrative, progressive lesions that occur at the cranial base. Their intimate association with cranial nerves and major vessels of the head and neck often precludes complete surgical resection.

Methods: Between 1983 and 2003, 23 patients (14 females, 9 males) were treated at our institution with the diagnosis of chondrosarcoma of the cranial base (mean age at presentation, 43 yr).