Chordoma: retrospective analysis of 24 cases.

INTRODUCTION

Chordoma is a rare and slow-growing tumor, with local aggressiveness and preferential localization in the vertebral column.

OBJECTIVE

The main objective of this study is to evaluate natural history and results of treatment of chordomas.

METHODOLOGY: This is a retrospective study from 1953 to 1993.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The age ranged from 2 to 86 years (mean = 34.5). Twelve patients were male and 12 female. The localization of the tumor was: 20 in the sacral region, 3 in head and neck and one out of the spine.

RESULTS

The treatment, alone or combined, was surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The survival rate for patients with lesions in the sacrum ranged from 4 to 119 months, since the date of the symptoms. The 5-year overall survival was 4.2%.

CONCLUSION

Chordoma is a rare and slow growing tumor, with a very difficult approach by surgery due to its preferential location in the sacrum and poor therapeutic results with radiation therapy or chemotherapy, mainly in patients with advanced disease.