CHORDOMA Meaning and
Definition
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Chordoma is a rare type of cancerous tumor that develops from remnants of the notochord, a structure that forms during embryonic development and usually disappears as the spine develops. This tumor typically occurs in the bones of the skull base, spine, or sacrum (the triangular bone at the base of the spine), and it grows slowly over time.
Chordomas are often benign but have the potential to become malignant and spread to nearby tissues or metastasize to distant areas of the body such as the lungs or liver. They tend to be locally aggressive and can invade surrounding structures, causing pain and other neurological symptoms.
Symptoms of chordoma depend on its exact location but can include persistent headaches, neck or back pain, difficulty swallowing, voice hoarseness, numbness or weakness in the extremities, or changes in bowel or bladder function.
Diagnosing chordoma usually involves imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans to visualize the tumor and its extent. A biopsy may also be performed to confirm the presence of chordoma and analyze its characteristics.
Treatment options for chordoma include surgical removal of the tumor, radiation therapy, and targeted drug therapy. Depending on the location and stage of the tumor, a combination of these treatments may be used. Due to the rarity and complexity of chordoma, a multidisciplinary approach involving various specialists is often necessary for optimal management.
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A small tumor situated at the spheno-occipital synchondrosis or, rarely, at one of the intervertebral discs, composed of notochordal tissue.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for CHORDOMA
- xhordoma
- vhordoma
- fhordoma
- dhordoma
- cgordoma
- cbordoma
- cnordoma
- cjordoma
- cuordoma
- cyordoma
- chirdoma
- chkrdoma
- chlrdoma
- chprdoma
- ch0rdoma
- ch9rdoma
- choedoma
- choddoma
- chofdoma
- chotdoma
Etymology of CHORDOMA
The word "chordoma" originates from the combination of two Greek terms: "chorda" meaning "cord" or "string", and "oma" meaning "tumor" or "mass". It refers to a rare type of cancer that arises from remnants of the notochord, which is a structure present during embryonic development. Chordomas typically occur in the bones of the spine (vertebrae) or the base of the skull. The term was first coined by the German pathologist Julius Arnold in 1857 to describe these tumors.
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