Журнал клинических случаев

Retrorectal Chordoma: Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Martínez Hernández Magro Paulino, Martínez Salcedo Néstor, Koelliker Ayala Enrique and Guerrero Medrano Jaime

Objective: To present a case of retrorectal chordoma and a literature review of this condition. Introduction: Tumors of the retrorectal area are rather rare. Retrorectal lesions can be cystic or solid, benign or malignant, and can be classified as congenital, neurogenic, osseous or miscellaneous. Diagnosis is frequently delayed until the tumors reach considerable size. Wide en bloc resection should be performed once the diagnosis is made. Case report: A 63 year old male patient, who complaint of progressive and recent onset constipation, and light pain at the coccigeal area. At the digital examination of the rectum we appreciate a firm, smooth presacral mass swelling the posterior rectal wall, with intact rectal mucosa. The MRI showed a multilobulated retrorectal mass; and the patient underwent to a wide en bloc resection of the tumor. The histopathological study of the specimen corroborates the presence of chordoma. Conclusions: Retrorectal tumors are rare; their diagnosis is difficult and late. Treatment is surgical with wide resection; chordomas have poor sensitivity to radiotherapy and chemotherapy.