Symptoms of a Chordoma

Symptoms of a chordoma depend on the tumor’s size and location. The tumor can cause numbness, back pain, headaches, and vision problems, among other symptoms.

A chordoma in the base of the skull, also known as a clival chordoma, can affect the facial and optical nerves, and cause pain and changes in nerve function in surrounding structures, including:

• Changes in hearing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Double vision
• Facial pain or numbness
• Headache
• Neck pain
• Paralysis of facial muscles
• Problems swallowing
• Speech changes

Chordomas below the skull base can press on the spine and nerves and cause the following symptoms:

• Changes in bladder or bowel function and control
• Changes in mobility – e.g., weakness in legs
• Impotence
• Numbness
• Pain
• Tingling
• Weakness

See Diagnosing and Treating a Chordoma