Chordoma

Disease Overview

A chordoma is a rare tumor that develops from cells of the notochord, a structure that is present in the developing embryo and is important for the development of the spine. The notochord usually disappears before birth, though a few cells may remain embedded in the bones of the spine or at the base of the skull.[4526][9615]

Chordomas typically present in adults between the ages of 40 and 70 and can occur anywhere along the spine. About half of all chordomas occur at the bottom of the spine (sacrum); about one third occur at the base of the skull. The remaining cases of chordomas form in the spine at the level of the neck, chest, or other parts of the lower back. Chordomas grow slowly, extending gradually into the surrounding bone and soft tissue. The actual symptoms depend on the location of the chordoma. A chordoma that occurs at the base of the spine may cause problems with bladder and bowel function. A chordoma at the base of the skull may lead to double vision and headaches.[13698][4526][9615] 

In many cases, the cause of the chordoma remains unknown. Recent studies have shown that changes in the T gene have been associated with chordomas in a small set of families. In these families an inherited duplication of the T gene is associated with an increased risk of developing a chordoma. Duplications of the T gene have also been identified in people with chordoma who have no history of the tumor in their family, but in these cases the changes occur only in the tumor cells and are not inherited.[9615] The current treatment is often the surgical removal of the tumor, followed by radiotherapy.[12560]