What is a chordoma?

What is a chordoma?

Chordomas are rare malignant (cancerous) tumors that are found in the spine and skull. These tumors affect about 1 person in 1 million people per year. One to four percent of all primary bone tumors are chordomas.

Chordomas typically grow slowly. They are often found

in the front (anterior) part of the spine or base of the skull. They can occur at any point along the spine.

Common locations include the base of the spine (sacrum), the tailbone (coccyx), and the place where the spine meets the skull (skull base). There is bone called the clivus behind the back of the throat but in front of the brainstem. Chordomas there are called clival chordomas.