Chordoma is a malignant tumor that is formed from the remains of an embryonic spinal cord.
The disease is rare, in only 16% of cases, that is, of 1 million people, the disease is found only in 2-3.But every patient has a big risk of getting serious complications.
Cranial species are found at the age of 30 to 50 years, and sacrococcygeal - in people of the older generation.
More exposed to the problem of men. Children account for 10% of all patients. They are more often affected by the base of the skull. Studies have shown that the 5-year survival rate is 65%, and the 10-year survival rate is 39%.
Localization of the tumor process
The most popular localization sites are the base of the skull and the region of the sacrum. But it can appear in:
- cervical section,
- brain,
- posterior skull skull,
- of the nasopharynx.
When viewed through the back wall of the rectum, a dense and elastic consistency is revealed, which does not lead to the appearance of strong painful sensations. When palpation, the tumor remains immobile.
Types of education
Three types of malignant tumors are distinguished by histological features:
- chondroid,
- ordinary,
- undifferentiated.
The first type does not have a very high growth rate. In structure, it resembles chondrosarcoma, represented by primary cancer. With her, cells randomly and randomly divide, begin to appear where they should not be.
In the chondroid form, the prognosis is more favorable than in others. Conventional tumor only in rare cases harms neighboring organs.
Ordinary type has a high growth rate and in a third of cases gives metastasis. The complexity lies in asymptomatic and prolonged course, so it is often found by chance when metastases begin to appear.
The undifferentiated species behaves aggressively. It is characterized by rapid growth, therefore, when the patient is treated late for medical help, it reaches inoperable sizes and sprouts into nearby tissues.
Within three years after treatment, relapses often occur, so the patient needs constant surgeries and examinations.
Reasons for the emergence of
The risk groups in which the disease occurs with the greatest frequency have not been identified. Situations when chordoma appeared with the next of kin are extremely rare, therefore it is not accepted that education is a hereditary disease.
It is assumed that one of the provoking factors are carcinogens: alcohol, smoking, hepatitis B, papilloma virus.
Symptoms of chordoma
Often the symptoms do not appear immediately, but as the size and damage of neighboring organs and tissues increase. In some cases, the tumor in the early stages is detected with X-ray diagnostics.
Common signs recognized:
- pain in the hands and feet,
- general weakness,
- headaches,
- hearing and vision impairment,
- speech disorders and swallowing process.
Regardless of the location, there are signs of an organism intoxication. The patient refuses to eat, feels a constant weakness.
Sacrum
When the chondroma of the sacrum is affected, there are signs of defeat of the "horse tail".This structure, consisting of sacral, lumbar spinal nerves. This is manifested by the disorder of the functions of the genitourinary system. There is a violation in the work of the intestine.
Skull base and skull
Gradually, as the growth, there is an increase in headaches, there are problems with coordination of movements, hearing impairment, swallowing reflex.
Gradually, the pain becomes stronger in the lesion.
Patients complain of pain in the face area, the appearance of constant dizziness.
Spine
When forming in the spine, localization of painful sensations occurs in the back. The intestines start to function poorly. Men have problems with erectile function.
With localization in the spine, the focus is mainly in the area of the vertebral bodies. This leads to thinning, swelling of the cortical layer. As a result, the invertebrate tissues increase.
Diagnosis
At the first stages of the suspicion of the disease occurs with a neurological examination. With his help, the doctor reveals an approximate localization of education and assigns radiography.
The X-ray reveals typical bone defects. But even a snapshot can not guarantee that a person has developed chordoma. Therefore, in a review X-ray examination, specialists prescribe a histology using biopsy.
To obtain three-layered images, CT is used. Tomography makes it possible to distinguish the shape of the neoplasm, its location, the presence of metastases. Additional methods include scintigraphy and PET.
Treatment and prognosis with chordoma
The main method of treatment is recognized as surgical. Traditional methods or endoscopic techniques are used. Basically, the latter are used in the chordoma of the base of the skull.
Such methods have a small traumatic, short recovery period. The operation itself is easier tolerated by patients. Endoscopy is also used to eliminate repeated foci.
Radiation therapy is used to reduce the risk of metastases and new tumors after surgery.
It allows you to minimize the risk of developing relapses, complications. In some cases, radiation therapy is used to reduce the tumor before surgery. It is also effective if, for some objective reasons, there is no possibility to perform the operation.
In modern clinics, it is proposed to influence chordoma using radiosurgical methods. Then the irradiation is selective, acting exclusively on the desired site. The procedure does not require surgical intervention. Especially effective technique is recognized in the treatment of sacrum.
Radiosurgery does not require preparation, so after the procedure the patient can go home at once. The effect comes in a few weeks.
Affects predictions and radical removal. Studies have shown that after it survival is higher. At the same time, the appearance of education in childhood does not at all mean a worse prognosis than in adults.
When using radiosurgery and radiotherapy, the chances of a favorable outcome increase.
Video shows endoscopic removal of chordoma of a stingray: