Final answer:
A chordoma is a rare type of cancer that starts in the bones of the skull and spine. It commonly presents with symptoms such as persistent headache, neck or back pain, difficulty swallowing, and double vision. The most common location for chordomas is the base of the skull, specifically the clivus.
Step-by-step explanation:
A chordoma is a rare type of cancer that starts in the bones of the skull and spine. It belongs to a group of cancers called sarcomas.
1) Demo: A chordoma typically presents with symptoms such as persistent headache, neck or back pain, difficulty swallowing, and double vision.
2) Most common location: The most common location for chordomas is the base of the skull, specifically the clivus, which is the area behind the nasal cavity.
3) Second most common location: The second most common location is the sacrum, which is a triangular bone at the base of the spine, below the lumbar vertebrae.
4) What is it: Chordoma is a type of cancer that develops from remnants of the notochord, which is a structure present during embryonic development. It grows slowly and can invade nearby tissues, causing significant complications.