Chordoma Symptoms

Chordoma is a rare tumor originating from remnants of embryonic notochord tissue, accounting for about 1%-4% of primary spinal tumors. These tumors grow slowly but are highly locally aggressive, mainly occurring in the sacrococcygeal region and skull base, often extending from bone into adjacent soft tissues. Due to their proximity to critical neural structures, they can cause severe functional impairment and decreased quality of life during progression.

Chordoma is most common among middle-aged individuals, particularly those aged 40-60. Although the global incidence is low, higher diagnosis rates are reported in Western countries such as the United States, Germany, and Canada; in Southeast Asia, more cases have been reported in Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines. The main risk lies in the limited growth space; once the spinal cord or brainstem is compressed, it may lead to paralysis, swallowing difficulties, cranial nerve symptoms, and significantly increased treatment difficulty in advanced stages.

Chordoma Staging

Stage I: Localized growth, lesion can be completely removed
The tumor is confined within bone tissue and has not yet invaded nerves or surrounding soft tissues. The five-year survival rate is about 80%-85%, with low postoperative recurrence risk.

Stage II: Involvement of adjacent structures, compression symptoms appear
At this stage, the tumor begins to affect the spinal canal or skull base nerves, and patients may experience pain or neurological dysfunction. The survival rate decreases to 60%-75%.

Stage III: Damage to critical nerves, high risk of local recurrence
The tumor invades key areas of the spinal cord or skull base, surgery becomes difficult, and symptoms worsen. The five-year survival rate decreases to 40%-55%.

Stage IV: Metastatic lesions appear, low survival rate
Distant metastasis occurs, including to the lungs, liver, and brain. In late-stage disease, treatment options are limited, with a five-year survival rate of less than 30%.

Detailed Symptoms of Chordoma

1. Persistent sacrococcygeal pain
Most patients initially present with dull or tender pain in the sacrococcygeal region, which worsens with prolonged sitting or standing, especially at night, often misdiagnosed as lumbar disease.

2. Unsteady gait or walking abnormalities
Due to spinal cord compression, patients gradually develop weakness in both lower limbs, difficulty standing, or a scissor gait, indicating spinal cord involvement.

3. Bowel or bladder dysfunction
Sacrococcygeal tumors compressing nerves may cause frequent urination, urgency, constipation, or even incontinence, reflecting pelvic floor dysfunction.

4. Headache and dizziness at the skull base
When chordomas are located at the skull base, they can compress cranial nerves, causing persistent headache, dizziness, and even balance disorders.

5. Difficulty swallowing or hoarseness
When cranial nerves are affected, some patients experience a sensation of obstruction in the throat, swallowing difficulties, or weak, hoarse voice.

6. Numbness or clumsiness in the upper limbs
Cervical chordomas may compress upper limb nerves, causing numbness, decreased grip strength, and impaired daily function.

7. Localized mass or bony protrusion
Some patients may feel a fixed mass or bony protrusion in the sacrococcygeal region, sometimes accompanied by local tenderness, requiring vigilance.

8. Facial sensory abnormalities or nystagmus
When tumors compress cranial nerves, patients may experience facial numbness, reduced sensation, or nystagmus and double vision.

9. Emotional disturbances and cognitive decline
In long-term disease or cases involving brainstem compression, some patients may develop memory loss, poor concentration, or emotional abnormalities.

Conclusion

Experts at United Life International Medical Center remind that due to its special location and insidious symptoms, chordoma is easily misdiagnosed and treatment is often delayed. Any persistent sacrococcygeal pain or neurological dysfunction should prompt early medical screening. Combining imaging examinations with immune reconstruction cell therapy and other interventions may help control the disease, extend survival, and improve quality of life.