Chordoma is a rare tumour, affecting around one in a 10-lakh people per
year. Happening in the spine and skull base, they will develop from cells left
over from the notochord – a structure found in developing embryos that aid the
development of the spine, which disappears as the bones of the spine grow. A
small number of notochord cells are left behind in the spine, which in rare
cases, turn cancerous, resulting in a chordoma.
Maximum chordoma cases are diagnosed in patients aged
50 and over, but they have been recognized to affect people of all ages.
Chordomas can grow anywhere along the spine, but most commonly found in the sacrum.
What causes chordomas?
It is not known why chordomas develop. It is extremely
rare for it to run in families, with only a handful of cases where multiple
members of the same family have had a chordoma. Similarly, no environmental or
lifestyle factors have been identified.
Symptoms of chordoma:
Chordoma symptoms depend on the location of the tumour.
If it is in the spine, symptoms can include:
·
Pain and/or numbness
·
Back pain which radiates to another body parts
·
Loss of balance, feeling unsteady
·
Difficulty walking
·
Changes or problems in bladder and bowel
movements
·
Pain that gets worse at night
If the tumour is in the skull, symptoms can
include:
·
Headache
·
Pain, tingling, or numbness in the face
·
Dizziness/unsteadiness
·
Double vision
·
Changes in hearing
Diagnosis:
Chordoma can be easily
mistaken for other tumours, such as schwannomas. After analyzing the symptoms
and medical history, the doctor will order an MRI scan, which is the best way
to diagnose a chordoma, showing the tumour and how it is affecting the
surrounding tissue. A CT scan may also be carried out if further details are
needed.
Treatment:
Chordoma treatment can vary depending on the size and
position of the tumour and on the age and general health of the patient. If the
chordoma is small or slow-growing and isn’t causing pressure or damage to the
surrounding tissue, the doctor may recommend simply watching and waiting, with
regular scans and reviews to monitor the tumour.
Surgery to remove the chordoma can be the most
effective way of treating cancer; however, due to its position in the
central nervous system, surgery can be risky. Depending on the location, the
tumour may be inoperable, or only part of it may be able to be removed as
removing the whole thing would be more dangerous than leaving part of it. In
such cases, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are options that kill cancer cells
using beams of radiation and powerful drugs respectively. Both can have
significant side-effects. All treatment options have their benefits and risks of
complications, so it is imperative that the everything is fully explained to
the patient so that they can make an informed decision and understand what is
happening and why every step of the way.
