Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026
Primary Culture of Human Vestibular Schwannomas
Published on: July 20, 2014
Building a global consensus approach to chordoma: a position paper from the medical and patient community
Silvia Stacchiotti1, Josh Sommer2,
1Adult Mesenchymal Tumour Medical Therapy Unit, Cancer Medicine Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.
Abstract:
Chordomas are very rare bone malignant tumours that have had a shortage of effective treatments for a long time. New treatments are now available for both the local and the metastatic phase of the disease, but the degree of uncertainty in selecting the most appropriate treatment remains high and their adoption remains inconsistent across the world, resulting in suboptimum outcomes for many patients. In December, 2013, the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) convened a consensus meeting to update its clinical practice guidelines on sarcomas. ESMO also hosted a parallel consensus meeting on chordoma that included more than 40 chordoma experts from several disciplines and from both sides of the Atlantic, with the contribution and sponsorship of the Chordoma Foundation, a global patient advocacy group. The consensus reached at that meeting is shown in this position paper.
Insights
Chordoma, a rare bone cancer, has limited treatment options. A consensus meeting of experts provided updated clinical practice guidelines to improve patient outcomes globally.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Orthopedic Oncology
- Rare Cancers
Background:
- Chordomas are rare malignant bone tumors with historically limited effective treatments.
- Treatment selection for both local and metastatic chordoma remains challenging, leading to suboptimal patient outcomes.
- The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) convened a consensus meeting in December 2013 to address these challenges.
Framework:
- The consensus meeting involved over 40 chordoma experts from diverse disciplines and international backgrounds.
- The meeting was supported by the Chordoma Foundation, a global patient advocacy organization.
- The goal was to establish updated clinical practice guidelines for chordoma management.
Implementation:
- Experts discussed and reached a consensus on the management of chordoma.
- The consensus aimed to standardize and improve treatment approaches worldwide.
- This position paper presents the key recommendations from the expert consensus.
Implications:
- Updated guidelines are expected to reduce uncertainty in treatment selection for chordoma.
- Improved and consistent treatment adoption globally may lead to better patient outcomes.
- This collaborative effort highlights the importance of multidisciplinary and patient advocacy group involvement in rare cancer research and care.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
01:27Degenerative Disc Disease I: Introduction