Who treats chordomas?
Surgery for skull base chordomas is usually performed by neurosurgeon and/or an otolaryngologist (ears, nose, and throat surgeon), depending on the surgical approach. Chordomas of the spine and sacrum/coccyx are treated by neurosurgeons or orthopedic surgeons specializing in spine surgery. Because maximal resection is essential for controlling the tumor, it is important to choose a surgeon who specializes in treating tumors of the skull base or spine. To ensure that treatment is planned in the most rational fashion chordomas should be managed in a collaborative manner by a team of doctors including surgical oncologists (who provide cancer treatment with surgery), radiation oncologists (who provide cancer treatment with radiation), and medical oncologists (who provide cancer treatment with drugs). Many medical centers hold regular tumor boards in which a number of doctors who are experts in different specialties review and discuss the diagnosis and treatment options for each patient. Ta
