- A chordoma is a malignant cancer of the spine.
- I had a sacral chordoma surgically removed on Oct 8, 2004.
Within a few months, there were three tumors where there used to be
only one. I had another surgery on Nov 11, 2005, and proton radiation
treatments at MGH in Boston, ending in April, 2006.
- This is a rare disease: only 1 out of every two million people
will get a chordoma. According to the medical literature,
historically around 50% of chordoma patients die within about 5 years
of the onset of symptoms.
There is a lot of uncertainty in these statistics, because of the
rarity of the disorder, and the odds are improving as treatments improve. In any case, my symptoms sent me to the
doctor for the first time in January, 2000, so I'm happy to still be
feeling okay.
- A non-profit foundation dedicated to supporting chordoma-related
research (working toward improved treatment and a cure) has been
established. Check it out.
- Latest news
from here (password-protected).
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Chordoma studies
- NCI SEER study
This recent paper pulls together results from several smaller studies,
and therefore has more believable statistical information.
- Anatomy of the sacrum
(lower back).
- Management of sacral
chordomas.
- Technical description of
chordomas (appearing both as brain and spinal tumors).
- Another technical description of
chordomas.
- Manifestations of
sacral tumors (not just chordomas).
- Embolization of
sacral tumors (again, not just chordomas).
- Radio Frequency
Ablation treatment for chordoma.
- Carbon beam radiation
therapy for large sacral chordomas.
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Stephen Jay Gould's essay on statistics
- This is a fine essay on how to interpret median
survival statistics.
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