The expression of HER-2/neu has been proposed to be a prognostic indicator in osteosarcoma. To clarify the actual frequency of HER-2/neu expression in primary malignant cartilaginous tumors, we examined 89 cases comprising 17 conventional chondrosarcomas, 33 mesenchymal chondrosarcomas, and 39 clear cell chondrosarcomas. We used real-time PCR (LightCycler) assay to quantify the HER-2/neu gene status. The crossing point of HER-2 in normal control bone was 27.77. The crossing points of HER-2 in conventional, mesenchymal, and clear cell chondrosarcomas were 28.48+/-1.79, 27.74+/-3.02, 28.57+/-1.54, respectively. In conclusion, the amplification and overexpression of the HER-2/neu oncogene is absent or at least very rare in malignant cartilaginous tumors. The level of expression of HER-2/neu was similar in all cartilaginous tumor types.