Chondrosarcoma of the small toe in an adult with Down syndrome.

Chondrosarcoma is the thirdmost frequentmalignant neoplasm of the bone after osteosarcoma and multiple myeloma, and comprises approximately 20% of all primary malignant bone tumor [1]. It is a chondroid neoplasm most commonly affecting the pelvis, humerus, femur and rib. The small bones of the hand and foot are rarely affected, reportedly less than 1%, although hand is significantly more prevalent. The etiological background of chondrosarcoma genesis remains largely unknown. Down syndrome is characterized by trisomy of chromosome 21 occurring in 1 out of every 700 births [2]. It has been postulated that lower frequency of solid cancer in Down syndrome is possibly due to chromosome 21 trisomy coding for various antitumor proteins [3]. In this report, we present a rare case of chondrosarcoma arising in the proximal phalanx of the small toe in a Down syndrome male, with a review of the literature. The patient and his family were informed that data from the case would be submitted for publication, and gave their consent.