title: Cutaneous metastasis of chordoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chordomas are rare neoplasms that arise from the notochord remnant. They develop in the sacrococcygeal (50%) or cervical (15%) region and are generally regarded as a locally aggressive tumor with a slow progressive growth rate and a metastatic incidence ranging from 3 to 48%. Skin involvement by chordoma is rare, but can occur by direct extension, by local recurrence and by metastases.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To illustrate by a case report the clinical presentation and management of this disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present a case of sacral chordoma with metastases over a 10-year period to the lungs, the soft tissue of the chest wall, the triceps tendon, and distant cutaneous metastases to the back and the nose.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cutaneous metastases were treated by excision.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chordoma is a slow growing tumor of the notochord remnant that may metastasize to the skin. Physicians and pathologists should be aware of this entity.
authors.affiliation: DermSurgery Associates, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Ruiz
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Humphreys
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Blacklock
mesh_terms: D002817:Chordoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012447:Sacrum; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary