Chordomas are rare, slow-growing tumors that develop at the base of the skull or in the lower part of the spine. The word "Chordomas" is spelled as /kɔːrdˈoʊməz/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "chordo" is pronounced with a long "o" sound, followed by an "m" sound that is represented by the letter "m". The second syllable "mas" is pronounced as "məz" in phonetic transcription. Overall, the spelling of "Chordomas" is consistent with the principle of spelling words based on their sound patterns.
Chordomas are rare and slow-growing tumors that originate from remnants of the notochord, a structure that is present during embryonic development and eventually forms the spinal column. These tumors typically occur along the spine, primarily in the base of the skull, the sacrum, or the vertebrae. Chordomas can also develop in the bones of the limbs in rare cases.
Chordomas are considered to be low-grade malignant tumors, meaning that they have the potential to invade surrounding tissues and recur after treatment, but they rarely spread to distant sites. They are slow-growing tumors that may take years to grow to a noticeable size and often do not cause symptoms until they become large enough to affect nearby structures. Symptoms may vary depending on the location of the tumor.
The most common symptoms include pain at the tumor site, spinal cord compression leading to weakness or paralysis, difficulty with balance or coordination, and bowel or bladder dysfunction. Diagnosis of chordomas involves a thorough medical history, physical examination, and imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. A definitive diagnosis is usually made through the analysis of a tissue sample obtained from a biopsy.
Treatment options for chordomas include surgery, radiation therapy, and sometimes a combination of both. Due to the complex nature of these tumors and their proximity to critical structures, complete surgical removal can be challenging. Radiation therapy is often used to target any remaining tumor cells after surgery or as the primary treatment for tumors that cannot be surgically resected. Additionally, targeted therapies and clinical trials may be considered for advanced or recurrent chordomas. Close monitoring and long-term follow-up are crucial to detect any recurrence or progression of the tumor.
The word "chordomas" has its origin in Greek. "Chordoma" is a combination of the Greek words "chorda", meaning "string" or "cord", and "oma", meaning "tumor" or "mass". Chordomas are a type of slow-growing malignant tumor that commonly develops from remnants of the notochord, a structure present during embryonic development. The term was first used by the German pathologist and neurologist Wilhelm H. Waldeyer in 1857.