title: Sacrococcigeal and vertebral chordomas. Report of three cases and review of the literature.
abstract: Three cases of sacrococcygeal and vertebral chordoma are described. Histogenetic and anatomopathological aspects with particular reference to differential diagnosis from similarly distributed neoplasias are discussed. Anti-cytoskeleton monoclonal antibodies were used to this purpose. The clinical profile of sacrococcygeal and vertebral chordomas is characterized by a pronounced metastatic potential; radiation treatment can only partially counter their biological behaviour, while chemotherapy has proved little or no effectiveness. Where possible, radical surgery is currently the only treatment to guarantee long-term survival or complete cure. Palliative surgery, associate with efficient painkilling, offers a better quality of life and slows down the progress of the disease.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002817:Chordoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D003050:Coccyx / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012447:Sacrum / Q000601:surgery*; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*