Get the best care

Types of treatment

Learn about the treatments used for chordoma and when those treatments should be considered.

What are the ways chordoma is treated?

Newly diagnosed chordoma is almost always treated with some combination of surgery and radiation. If the tumor comes back or spreads to other areas, systemic therapies may also be considered either through off-label prescription or a clinical trial.

These pages will help you learn what you need to know about these options.

Surgery

Surgery is usually the first treatment for chordoma and the way it's performed is critical to your outcome.

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Radiation

The most important thing to know about radiation for chordoma is that it needs a high dose of radiation to be controlled.

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Drug therapy

Targeted therapies and immunotherapies are used when surgery and radiation are no longer the best options or tumor has spread to other places in the body.

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Clinical trials

Clinical trials are carefully monitored research studies that are important options for chordoma patients to consider.

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Guide to getting the best care

Getting the right treatment is critical for a good outcome. This step-by-step guide will help you make the most informed decisions about your care.

Treatment guidelines

Once you've learned about the types of treatment, read the guidelines on the way chordoma should be treated.

We're here to help

The Chordoma Foundation is a resource for anyone affected by chordoma. We're here to help you understand the disease, learn about how it's treated, find qualified doctors, and connect with others in the chordoma community.

Patient Navigation Service

Our free and confidential service connects you with a Patient Navigator who will be available to you at every step of your journey with chordoma, to help you get the best care possible.

Contact a Patient Navigator

Doctor Directory

Our Doctor Directory is a vetted list of doctors around the world who have experience with chordoma. This resource is available to help you locate and contact doctors to start discussing your options right away.

Find a doctor

Chordoma Connections

Our private online community, Chordoma Connections, is a place for chordoma patients and their loved ones to ask questions, share updates, learn about research advances, and connect with others around the world.

Join today