Dedifferentiated chordoma. Response to aggressive chemotherapy in two cases.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Dedifferentiated chordoma is an unusual and aggressive variant of chordoma which is likely to metastasize. Few reports exist of treatment of these tumors with chemotherapy.

METHODS:

In 1988, two patients with dedifferentiated sacral chordomas were seen at the University of Chicago Hospitals. Both developed metastatic disease less than a year after sacral resection and radiation therapy. These patients' diagnoses, courses, and treatments were reviewed along with the literature on chemotherapy in both conventional and dedifferentiated chordomas.

RESULTS:

Both patients obtained complete remissions, one to a six-drug regimen and the other to ifosfamide.

CONCLUSIONS:

A trial of reasonably aggressive chemotherapy is warranted in patients with metastatic dedifferentiated chordoma. The optimum regimen is unclear, but agents active in high-grade sarcomas are logical choices.

• Authors: G F Fleming, P S Heimann, J K Stephens, M A Simon, M K Ferguson, R S Benjamin, B L Samuels
• Journal: Cancer (Cancer) Vol. 72 Issue 3 Pg. 714-8 (Aug 01 1993) ISSN: 0008-543X [Print] United States
• PMID: 8334623 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Review)

Topics

• Adult
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (therapeutic use)
• Bone Neoplasms (pathology)
• Chordoma (drug therapy, pathology, secondary)
• Female
• Humans
• Lung Neoplasms (drug therapy, pathology, secondary)
• Neoplasm Recurrence, Local (surgery)
• Sacrum