May 25, 2012
Topics A-Z Cancer Sacral Chordoma removed: how long was it there before?
Sacral Chordoma removed: how long was it there before? |
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Dear Ask The Doctor: If one is diagoised with a sacral chordoma and a tumor the size of a plum is removed how long would one estimate the cancer was there before removal? Dear Debbie:Â Chordoma is a rare cancerous (malignant) primary bone tumor that occurs along the spine, most often in the base of the spine (sacrum) or in the base of the skull. Chordomas can occur at any age, but they usually occur in adults. Although slow growing, chordomas are difficult tumors to treat, and they are often life-threatening.It is very difficult to determine for how long the tumor has been there, because they are slow growing. Symptoms depend on the site of the tumor. Long-term follow-up care is necessary after treatment ends because chordomas can spread (metastasize) and recur. The primary treatment for chordoma is surgery, although it may be difficult to perform because the tumor is near critical structures in the brain and spinal cord. The goal of surgery is to remove the entire tumor in one piece, whenever possible, |
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 26 January 2012 ) |
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