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Best Surgeon for Chondrosarcoma: Finding the Right Specialist for Advanced Care

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A diagnosis of chondrosarcoma can feel overwhelming and frightening. This rare cancer of the cartilage requires highly specialized care, and choosing the best surgeon for treating it is one of the most important decisions you can make. Because chondrosarcoma behaves differently from many other cancers, treatment success depends heavily on surgical expertise and access to experienced chondrosarcoma specialists.

This patient-focused guide explains what chondrosarcoma is, who treats it, and how to identify the best surgeon for chondrosarcoma and the care team to support you through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.

Who Is the Best Surgeon for Chondrosarcoma?

The best surgeon for chondrosarcoma treatment is one who has extensive experience treating this rare cancer, works within a multidisciplinary team, and practices at a high-volume center for chondrosarcoma care.

Several internationally recognized surgeons are often referenced in discussions about complex skull base, spinal, and musculoskeletal tumors, including chondrosarcoma:

Aaron Cohen-Gadol, MD

Known for his expertise in complex cranial and skull base tumors, including rare chondrosarcoma tumors that involve critical neurological structures. He has performed over 7,500 tumor surgeries and has world-class expertise in minimally invasive resection of chondrosarcomas through endoscopic techniques.

Why should you have your surgery with Dr. Cohen?

Dr. Cohen

  • 7,500+ specialized surgeries performed by your chosen surgeon
  • More personalized care
  • Extensive experience = higher success rate and quicker recovery times

Major Health Centers

  • No control over choosing the surgeon caring for you
  • One-size-fits-all care
  • Less specialization

For more reasons, please click here.

Juan Carlos Fernandez-Miranda, MD

Recognized for his advanced skull base and minimally invasive endoscopic approaches, often used for chondrosarcomas in challenging locations.

Paul Gardner, MD

Although these surgeons are all highly respected, the right choice depends on your tumor’s location, grade, and complexity, and your access to a specialized chondrosarcoma specialist.

What Is Chondrosarcoma?

Chondrosarcoma is a rare type of cancer that develops in cartilage cells. Cartilage is a firm, flexible tissue found in joints, the rib cage, spine, pelvis, and skull base. Unlike many other cancers, chondrosarcoma typically grows slowly but can be aggressive depending on its grade and subtype. Common locations include the pelvis and hips, the shoulder and long bones, the spine, and the skull base.

Because chondrosarcoma often resists chemotherapy and radiation, surgery is usually the primary and most effective treatment.

Why Chondrosarcoma Requires a Specialized Surgeon

Chondrosarcoma is not a cancer that should be treated by a general neurosurgeon. Complete tumor removal with clear margins is critical and requires exceptional skill and experience.

A specialized neurosurgeon understands:

  • How to remove the tumor while preserving nearby nerves, blood vessels, and organs
  • The importance of achieving wide surgical margins to reduce the risk of recurrence
  • How tumor grade and location influence surgical planning

This is why patients benefit from care by an experienced chondrosarcoma specialist who routinely manages complex sarcomas.

Who Treats Chondrosarcoma? Understanding the Role of Specialists

Treatment for chondrosarcoma typically involves a team rather than a single doctor. Although the surgeon leads all surgical care, several specialists are often involved, including:

  • Medical oncologists
  • Neurosurgeons (for spinal or skull base tumors)
  • Head and neck surgeons
  • Radiation oncologists
  • Pathologists and radiologists

This team-based approach ensures accurate diagnosis, safe surgery, and appropriate follow-up care.

Types of Chondrosarcoma Specialists Involved in Care

Different chondrosarcoma specialists play unique roles depending on where the tumor is located.

  • Orthopedic oncologists treat tumors in bones, joints, and limbs
  • Neurosurgeons manage tumors involving the spine or skull base
  • Head and neck surgeons address tumors near the face, jaw, or sinuses
  • Radiation oncologists provide advanced radiation therapy when surgery is incomplete or not possible

The best surgeon for treating chondrosarcoma symptoms collaborates closely with these experts to create a personalized treatment plan.

Qualities of the Best Surgeon for Chondrosarcoma

When evaluating your options, look for these key qualities in a surgeon:

  • Extensive experience with chondrosarcomas and rare bone tumors
  • Specialized fellowship training in oncology, spine, or skull base surgery
  • Access to advanced imaging and surgical technologies
  • High surgical volume, which is linked to better outcomes
  • Clear communication and patient-centered care

A surgeon who routinely works with chondrosarcoma specialists is better equipped to manage complex cases and unexpected challenges.

Importance of a Multidisciplinary Approach to Chondrosarcoma Treatment

Chondrosarcoma treatment is most effective when delivered through a multidisciplinary program. These programs bring together multiple specialists who meet regularly to discuss each case.

Benefits of a multidisciplinary approach include:

More accurate diagnosis and tumor grading

  • Comprehensive treatment planning
  • Reduced risk of recurrence
  • Coordinated long-term follow-up care

Patients treated at a center with dedicated chondrosarcoma specialists often experience better outcomes and greater peace of mind.

How to Choose the Best Chondrosarcoma Specialist Near You

Finding the right care can feel daunting, but the following steps can help.

  • Ask how many chondrosarcoma cases the surgeon treats each year.
  • Confirm that your surgeon works with a multidisciplinary team.
  • Request a second opinion if needed; this is common and encouraged.
  • Be sure that you feel heard, informed, and supported.

The best surgeon for treating chondrosarcoma is not only technically skilled but also committed to guiding you through every step of care.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best treatment for chondrosarcoma?

Surgery is the primary and most effective treatment, and complete tumor removal by a surgeon offers the best chance for long-term control. Radiation therapy can be used in select cases.

What is the best hospital for chondrosarcoma treatment?

The best hospitals for chondrosarcoma treatment are high-volume academic or specialty cancer centers with a dedicated program and experienced chondrosarcoma specialists.

What is the success rate of chondrosarcoma surgery?

Success rates vary on the basis of tumor size, grade, and location. For example, patients with a low-grade chondrosarcoma treated with complete surgical removal often have an excellent long-term outcome, whereas those with higher-grade tumors require closer monitoring.

Key Takeaways

Choosing the best surgeon to treat chondrosarcoma is one of the most critical decisions you can make after receiving a diagnosis. Because this rare cancer requires specialized expertise, seeking care from experienced chondrosarcoma specialists at a multidisciplinary center can significantly affect your outcome and quality of life. With the right surgeon, a coordinated care team, and a personalized treatment plan, you can move forward with confidence, clarity, and hope.

Getting There

The clinic is located at Cedars Towers East which is at 8631 W 3rd Street, Suite 815E, Los Angeles, CA 90048, near Beverly Grove. It’s easily accessible from San Vicente Boulevard or La Cienega Boulevard. Paid parking is available in the adjacent structure and limited street parking can be found nearby. For navigation, entering “8631 W 3rd St” into the GPS will direct you to the main entrance. 

The entrance to the Cedars Towers East parking garage is on Sherbourne Drive, located just north of 3rd Street. It is a self-parking garage with the address 217 S Sherbourne Dr, Los Angeles, CA. The entrance is on the right if you are traveling south on Sherbourne, or on the left if you are traveling north on Sherbourne. You then need to take the parking elevators to the plaza level and then cross the short bridge to use the East elevators to reach the 8th floor (suite 815.) Allow extra time for traffic and parking, especially during weekday mornings.  

Real Patient Stories

Dr. Cohen is the best of the best of the best. I had a large tumor (42.85mm x 37.79mm) pressing against my brain. I was referred to Dr. Cohen, who reviewed my scans and gave me the peace of mind...

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Ramon A.

Dr. Cohen gave me my life back. It’s cliché, but the truest explanation of the amazing work he and his entire team did for me. He performed a very tricky Microvascular decompression of my...

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Michael S.

Dr. Cohen took care of my son who had an AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation). Dr. Cohen recommended surgical removal, which was not what neurosurgeons we had seen before recommended. It was a...

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Lisa S.

One of the Most Prominent Neurosurgeons in the World

Aaron Cohen-Gadol, MD

7,500+

Complex brain surgeries performed by a single surgeon—more than any other neurosurgeon in the United States.

40+

Novel surgical techniques pioneered that have inspired thousands of neurosurgeons to achieve technical excellence.

600+

Peer-reviewed publications in respected journals advancing the field of neurosurgery and patient outcomes.

100,000+

Lives influenced through innovative surgical care, education, and his foundational contributions to the field.

Meet Dr. Cohen-Gadol

Dr. Cohen-Gadol (Cohen) is one of the world’s most preeminent neurosurgeons and the president of ATLAS Institute of Brain and Spine. He specializes in the treatment of complex brain and spine tumors, including meningiomas, pituitary adenomas, gliomas, and acoustic neuromas, as well as arteriovenous and cavernous malformations, hemifacial spasm, and trigeminal neuralgia. Neurosurgeons and patients both frequently seek his expert second opinion. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a profound commitment and passion for pushing the boundaries of uncompromising excellence for his patients.

Professional Affiliations

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8631 W. 3rd Street, Suite 815E
Los Angeles, CA 90048

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