Should family members of chordoma patients be concerned about getting chordoma?
The overwhelming majority of chordomas occur sporadically (at random), however a small number of families have an inherited genetic predisposition to develop chordomas. If only one person in a family has been diagnosed it is unlikely that any other family members would be at risk for developing a chordoma. However, if more than one person in a family has been diagnosed with chordoma then there is a high liklihood that other blood relatives would also be at risk for developing a chordoma. Blood relatives of all chordoma patients should be vigilent about symptoms indicitive of a chordoma, and should contact a qualified medical professional if they have any concern about the possibility of having a chordoma. For more information about genetic risk factors for chordoma check out the National Cancer Institute’s Familial Chordoma Study.
Related Questions
- Are hospitals required to provide interpreters for Deaf or hard of hearing patients, family members or visitors?
- Is there coping and support information for both agoraphobia patients and their family members and loved ones?
- Should family members of chordoma patients be concerned about getting chordoma?
