Chordoma is a very rare (1 in 800,000) form of primary bone cancer meaning it arises in bone (rather than spreads to bone). The bones involved are those at the base of the skull (approximately 30%) , the vertebral bodies & spine ( approximately 20%) and the bone of the sacrum and coccyx at the base of the spine (approximately 50%). Chordoma is thought to arise from a persistent embryonic tissue (notochordal cells), which normally disappears before birth, but can persist in some people. However, the majority of individuals with notochordal remnants do not develop chordoma. Chordoma is generally slow-growing and the nature of the tumour often makes diagnosis difficult to determine. Chordoma is one of a family of cancers called sarcoma, which include cancers of the bones, cartilage, muscles and other connective tissue. Symptoms of chordoma vary significantly and in the event an aggressive chordoma spreads (metastasis) it will most commonly affect areas such as the liver, lungs, skin, bones or lymph nodes.
Find out moreWant to make a donation?
You are the reason we can keep providing our vital supprt and funding. Individual donations and gifts may be made directly to Chordoma UK and enhanced through GIFT AID. Your fundraising can benefit from Chordoma UK`s charitable status enabling donations to be made through the Gift Aid scheme directly to the Chordoma UK bank account.
Donate nowUseful links