CHORDOMA - RESULTS OF RADIATION-THERAPY IN 18 PATIENTS

Between 1975 and 1990, eighteen patients with a histologically proven diagnosis of chordoma were treated at our institution. All patients in itially underwent a surgical procedure and were referred for irradiati on due to residual disease or postsurgical relapse. The mean dose admi nistered was 50.1 Gy (range, 29.9-64.8 Gy). Eight patients were treate d according to a hyperfractionated schedule. The overall actuarial 5-y ear survival and 5-year progression-free survival were 38% and 17%, re spectively. The progression-free interval was longer for patients rece iving doses greater than 48 Gy when compared with doses below 40 Gy (a ctuarial 5-year progression-free survival of 31 +/- 35% vs. 0%, respec tively; p = 0.04). We conclude that in the treatment of chordoma. the administration of high radiation doses may increase the disease-free i nterval. The objective response and dose-response relationships were a nalyzed in twelve patients for whom sequential CT scans were available .