Clinicopathologic study of sacrococcygeal chordoma

Chordoma involving the sacrum is a rare neoplasm. Between 1952 and 1979, 63 patients underwent surgical treatment at the Mayo Clinic. Most of the patients were treated by en bloc excision by a posterior approach. For the 25 patients who had complete excision of the tumor without contamination of the surgical wound, the recurrence rate was 28%. For the 25 patients whose tumor was entered at surgery, the recurrence rate was 64%. In addition to recurring locally, this tumor may metastasize to distant sites. More aggressive surgery seems indicated.