Which treatment is typically not effective in cases of chondrosarcoma?

Chondrosarcoma, a malignant tumor arising from cartilage, generally has limited responsiveness to several treatment modalities due to its inherent biology. Surgical resection is often the mainstay of treatment for chondrosarcoma because complete removal of the tumor offers the best chance for long-term survival and is the only curative approach.

Chemotherapy is typically not effective for chondrosarcoma, particularly in its conventional forms. This is primarily because chondrosarcomas are often resistant to chemotherapy agents, which are more effective in other types of sarcomas or cancers with a high proliferation rate. The low mitotic activity of chondrosarcomas contributes to their poor response to chemotherapeutic agents.

Radiation therapy may be used in some cases, especially when surgical options are limited or if there is concern about local recurrence, but it is not a primary treatment modality. Targeted therapies are also emerging, but they are not standard treatments for chondrosarcoma.

Therefore, the distinction that chemotherapy typically lacks effectiveness in treating chondrosarcoma positions it as the correct answer in this context.