What is the survival rate of chordoma?

Chordomas are malignant and potentially life threatening tumors. Currently the median survival in the United States is about 7 years. The overall survival rates are 68% at 5 years and 40% at 10 years. Complete surgical resection offers the best chance for long-term survival.

How long does it take for a chordoma to grow?

When a chordoma grows back, it usually does so near the location of the original tumor, within five to seven years of the initial diagnosis.

What does a tailbone chordoma feel like?

Symptoms associated with a lumbar or sacral chordoma: Low back pain or tail bone pain. Weakness and/or numbness in the legs. Loss of bladder and bowel control. A mass on the low back or tailbone that is tender to the touch.

What is metastatic chordoma?

Metastatic chordoma is one or more tumors that have spread to other parts of the body. Advanced disease is very unlikely to be cured and currently there is no known cure for metastatic diseaseXWhen tumors have spread to other parts of the body from the original tumor site..

Can chordoma be cured?

With appropriate treatment, many chordoma patients will live for a decade or more, and some can be cured.

Is there a cure for chordoma?

Because of the risk of chordomas spreading, a successful first surgery is very important. Operative intervention provides the best chance for cure and control of the tumor. Depending on the location, size and appearance of your chordoma, your surgery team might involve multiple surgeons.

Is a chordoma a brain tumor?

Skull base chordomas are sometimes called brain tumors because they grow inside the skull toward the brain; however, they do not actually develop from brain cells. Mobile spine. The remaining 20 percent of chordomas form in the spine at the level of the neck, chest, or lower back.

Can you feel a tailbone tumor?

Tumors in the tailbone area can cause a noticeable mass; numbness in the groin area; bowel and bladder problems; or numbness, tingling, and weakness in the legs.

How do you know if you have chordoma?

These symptoms can include tingling, numbness, weakness, lack of bladder or bowel control, sexual dysfunction, vision problems, endocrine problems and swallowing difficulties. If the chordoma has grown very large, you may be able to feel a lump.

Is chordoma a benign tumor?

Chordomas form from remnants of the notochord — embryonic tissue that eventually forms the center of spinal disks. These tumors are considered malignant and may metastasize, though they typically grow slowly.

Who treats chordoma?

A highly trained team of neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, interventional neuroradiologists, and radiosurgeons at the Weill Cornell Medicine Brain and Spine Center are available to treat these tumors.

Is chordoma life threatening?

When chordomas metastasize (spread) to other parts of the body, or if they grow large and begin to press on critical parts of the brain, they can become life threatening. Even when chordomas have not spread, they can grow very large and damage nerves in the spine and brain, causing disability that may be permanent.