Literature Review
Risk Factors for Distant Metastases at Chordoma Diagnosis
Arjun Aron, BS
Yale School of Medicine New Haven, CT
Jonathan N. Grauer, MD
Yale School of Medicine New Haven, CT
Article Reviewed
Berg AR, Hanna G, Mendiratta D, Para A, Michel M, Beebe K, Vives MJ. (2025). Risk factors for metastatic disease at presentation with chordoma and its prognostic value. North American Spine Society Journal (NASSJ), 21. doi:10.1016/j.xnsj.2024.100566
Commentary
Chordomas are rare sarcomas that typically occur in the most rostral or most caudal regions of the spine. Disease progression and symptom onset are gradual, often resulting in delays in diagnosis. This increases the likelihood of distant metastases at the time of diagnosis, with corresponding deleterious effects on patient survival. Despite the significant impact of metastasis on patient mortality, risk factors for distant metastases at the time of diagnosis had not been well-characterized in the literature. The study by Berg et al in NASSJ utilized a large national cancer database to identify risk factors for metastases at the time of chordoma diagnosis and risk factors associated with prognosis in metastatic chordoma patients.
Key Takeaways
- Risk factors for distant metastases at the time of chordoma diagnosis as well as prognostic factors for metastatic disease were identified in this retrospective analysis of a large national database.
- Metastatic disease at the time of chordoma diagnosis was independently associated with dedifferentiated histological subtype.
- Decreased survival of those with metastatic disease was prognosticated by dedifferentiated histological subtype and age ≥ 60 years.