title: Chordoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Evidence for transformation.
abstract: Serial biopsy specimens of a histologically proven cervical chordoma in a 57-year-old woman taken at intervals over a 7-year period, demonstrate a progression and complete transformation to a malignant fibrous histiocytoma 5 years following radiation therapy. Intermediate spindle-shaped cells demonstrating keratin positivity were discovered, lending credence to the theory of cellular transformation. Additionally, a fine reticulin network was noted around the chordoma cells. A review of the literature is undertaken chronicling the documented associations of chordoma and sarcoma, followed by a discussion of the various causes proposed to explain this phenomenon.
mesh_terms: D002817:Chordoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D018219:Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013997:Time Factors