Chordomas

These are rare, benign and slow growing tumors. Less than one percent of all primary brain tumors are classified as chordomas. This type of tumor is mostly found at the base of the skull, but sometimes appear in the lower spine. They can become symptomatic if they invade the adjacent bone and put pressure on nearby neural tissue.

Patients with chordomas in the brain can present with headache and double vision. Diagnosis is best accomplished with an MRI both with and without contrast. When possible, the best treatment is to remove the entire tumor surgically. If it is not possible to remove the entire tumor, surgery is followed by radiation therapy or stereotactic radiosurgery. Because we have a multidisciplinary team approach to care, we involve neurosurgeons, oncologists and radiation oncologists in these treatment decisions.