Pulmonary metastatic chordoma improved by platinum-based chemotherapy

Chordomas are rare, low-grade, primary malignant bone tumors that are locally invasive and frequently recur. Despite the provision of radical excision as a primary treatment, local recurrences ultimately develop in most patients with chordoma. For these reasons, postoperative therapy such as radiation therapy is often required. However, the chemotherapy, as the treatment of chordoma relapse, has not only limited experiences but also considerable controversy on its effectiveness. In addition, in the case of pulmonary nodules, it is difficult to diagnose or suspect pulmonary metastatic chordoma initially due to its rarity and similar histologic features to other malignancies. Herein, we present an interesting case of metastatic chordoma in a 52-year old woman, which has been well controlled by platinum-based chemotherapy.