title: [Spinal chrodoma - III. Review of the literature since 1960].
abstract: Vertebral chordomas develop from the intrarachidial -- and more often the intrasomatic --vestiges of the embryonic notochord, and are rare caancers that are more likely to become manifest, usually between 30 and 40 years of age, with a painful radiculo-medullary syndrome than with the clear signs of a tumour. The insidious evolution of this type of cancer, which gives rise to few metastases, and its ambiguous radiological appearance explain why it is usually diagnosed late after an anatomo-pathological examination. The fundamental histological element is the physaliphorous cell, ultrastructural studies of which have demonstrated that the large "mucous" inclusions of interstitial material. The discovery, by Murad and Murthy, of particles enclosed in a membrane in the chordomatous cells indicates possible viral involvement. Radio-surgical treatment results in more comfortable survival (very variable) although it involves repeated high-dose cobalto-therapy and repeated surgical excisions.
mesh_terms: D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002356:Cartilage / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002817:Chordoma / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D002479:Inclusion Bodies / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D014617:Vacuoles / Q000648:ultrastructure
vernacular_title: Le chordome rachidien III. Revue de la littérature depuis 1960