Skull Base Chordomas and Chondrosarcomas: Therapeutic Options

Chordoma and chondrosarcoma are fairly rare, slowly growing intracranial tumors. They are often located at or near the clivus and thus presenting symptoms and signs may be similar. They can not be reliably differentiated on the basis of neuroimaging. Indeed, Rosenberg reported 200 patients with skull base chondrosarcoma; 74 (37%) of whom were referred with a diagnosis of chordoma. Debate exists as to the appropriate treatment. Prognosis differs depending on the type of lesion present.