| Chordoma | |
|---|---|
 | |
| MRI of extensive clival chordoma in 17-year-old male patient, axial view. Tumor in the nasopharynx extending from nasal cavity to brainstem posteriorly is clearly visible. | |
| Specialty | Oncology  |
Chordoma is a rare slow-growing neoplasm thought to arise from cellular remnants of the notochord. The evidence for this is the location of the tumors (along the neuraxis), the similar immunohistochemical staining patterns, and the demonstration that notochordal cells are preferentially left behind in the clivus and sacrococcygeal regions when the remainder of the notochord regresses during fetal life.
In layman's terms, chordoma is a type of spinal cancer.[1]
- ^ National Cancer Institute (February 27, 2019). "Chordoma".