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Noninvasive sacral chordoma presenting as a benign soft tissue mass
Oana-Eugenia Baboiu1, William M Taylor
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, State University of New York, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA. baboiuo@upstate.edu
Annals of Diagnostic Pathology
|March 21, 2006
Summary
This case report details a rare sacral chordoma presenting as a mobile, benign soft tissue mass. Despite atypical imaging, surgical and histological findings confirmed the chordoma diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Radiology
Background:
- Chordomas are rare bone tumors typically arising from the axial skeleton.
- Sacral chordomas classically present with bone destruction on imaging.
- Atypical presentations can pose diagnostic challenges.
Observation:
- A patient presented with an asymptomatic, mobile, encapsulated soft tissue mass near the sacrum.
- Imaging studies (CT, MRI) did not reveal sacral involvement or bone destruction.
- Biopsy showed a lobulated tumor with bland cells and a myxoid matrix, consistent with chordoma.
Findings:
- Surgical excision confirmed an encapsulated, non-invasive soft tissue chordoma.
- Histological examination and immunohistochemistry definitively diagnosed chordoma.
- The tumor originated from the sacrococcygeal joint and grew extraneously.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering chordoma in soft tissue masses, even with atypical imaging.
- It underscores the value of integrating clinical, radiological, and pathological findings for accurate diagnosis.
- Understanding rare presentations aids in refining diagnostic criteria and treatment strategies for chordoma.
