RESULTS OF RADIOTHERAPY IN 13 PATIENTS WITH CHORDOMA

Chordomas are rare, slow growing tumors. Most of the chordomas can not be totally excised because of their close association with neurologic structures and infiltration of bone. Radiotherapy is used to increase local control or palliation with or without surgery. We reviewed the results of 13 patients with chordoma treated by radiotherapy, between 1985-1994. Thirteen patients were treated by radiotherapy. Four patients had basis cranii, 8 patients had sacrococcygeal and one patient had lomber chordoma. Five had only biopsy and 8 patients had subtotal resection before radiotherapy. The 3 year local progression free survival was 29% for all patients. Univariate analysis showed statistically significant difference between only biopsy and subtotal resection (p=0.0072). Local control of chordomas is the main problem. Tumor volume, in other words, the extent of surgery is the most important prognostic factor. The duration of local control and palliation can be prolonged by means of conformal radiotherapy.