Metastatic chordoma

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Chordomas are rare primary bone tumors that originate from the notochord remnants. This embryonic structure is a cord of cells that retrogrades, thereby putting pressure on the spine and causing malformation. Chordomas are observed on the axial axis, mainly in the sacrococcygeal region. They are slow-growing tumors with a tendency to recur, presenting an aggressive clinical course frequently associated with metastasis. Skin and subcutaneous tissue involvement is unusual but may eventually occur as a result of local infiltration and/or metastasis. Here, we present the case of a 60-year-old man diagnosed with chordoma in the gluteal region associated with bone, lung, and skin metastases.