Chordoma

Description:

Chordoma - the rare tumor coming from the embryo chord remains. Characteristic places of its development are the base of skull and area of a sacrum.

It is a rare tumor which arises with probability 1-3 cases a year on 1 000 000.

There are different points of view concerning classification of this tumor: because of its slow growth and a relative rarity of innidiation outside local area of primary education some sources call it high-quality. However, the arrangement of a tumor limits possibilities of its treatment and often leads to complications, the tumor is inclined to a repeated recurrence - therefore in increasing frequency in the majority of medical sources this tumor is classified as malignant.

Chordoma reasons:

The disease occurs at people of all age, however, more often at men, than at women. Chordomas of a base of skull meet more often at young patients while chordomas of a sacrum are more widespread among elderly.

At the moment any origins of this tumor and group of the increased risk are not defined. Situations when among close relatives cases of emergence of a chordoma were recorded, are rare therefore it is considered to be that this tumor is not descended.

Pathogeny:

Macroscopically the tumor represents the node covered with the thick capsule - lobular, on a section of grayish-white color, with existence of the centers of a necrosis.

Microscopically the tumor of a polimorfn, cell of fabric of a tumor of the different size and a form, remind bubbles with small gipeokhromny kernels, and big vacuoles in cytoplasm more often.

Chordoma symptoms:

Clinical displays of a disease can be various, their expressiveness and type are defined preferential by localization of a new growth. As a rule, the clinic is caused by the damage of nerves arising with a growth of a tumor.

Chordomas grow from a bone, but because of their location they often mention, squeeze or extend to critical neighboring areas, such as nerves, arteries, a spinal cord. The list of the signs and symptoms of a chordoma mentioned in various medical sources includes:
Pain and/or weakness and numbness of extremities (hands, legs);
Difficulties of coordination of movements, changes in mobility;
Pain in places of formation of a tumor;
Headache and dizziness;
Problems with sight and/or hearing;
Gut dysfunction;
Bladder dysfunction;
Difficulties in swallowing;
Frustration of the voice device

Treatment of a chordoma:

Treatment preferential surgical, is necessary full excision of a tumor together with the capsule. At incomplete excision the probability of a recurrence, and hematogenous innidiation is high. Radiation therapy is ineffective and is used preferential with the palliative purpose.

Surgical intervention

Now, the surgery is the main method of treatment of chordomas. The full resection (removal of all tumor) during the first operation provides the best opportunities for long-term control and recovery. The full oncotomy requires heavy operation which can lead to complications or cause side effects.

The purpose of surgery has to consist in removing the greatest possible part of a tumor, without causing at the same time serious damage to an organism.

Radiation therapy

In many cases, after operation radiation therapy which can improve a possibility of local control and treatment is recommended.

Chemotherapy

Chordomas are, as a rule, steady against standard means of chemotherapy. At the moment there are no officially approved medicines for treatment of a chordoma.

Even after surgery and/or radiation, chordomas tend to a recurrence in the same place or in areas around the place of initial education. Many patients undergo the repeated operations for several years directed to removal of a local recurrence. After the local recurrence chances of treatment considerably decrease.

As the result and the forecast substantially depend on success of the first operation before starting the operation, it is very important to consult with the specialists having experience of fight against this disease who can help to create the coordinated treatment planning for patients with a chordoma.

The forecast is conditionally adverse, depending on type of a tumor the size of the 5th summer survival differs. At aggressive forms of a disease five-year survival does not exceed 30%, at less aggressive forms the term of life averages 5-10 years.