Systematic Review of Clinical, Radiologic, and Histologic Features of Benign Notochordal Cell Tumors: Implications for Patient Management

摘要

BACKGROUND: There are no absolute defining criteria for benign notochordal cell tumors; the diagnosis is usually based on small size and the absence of aggressive features. Therefore, by definition, the diagnosis is subjective and usually determined by multidisciplinary consensus. A benign notochordal cell tumor should not grow during surveillance, and this may be used to confirm the diagnosis, but is a tautologic definition. Diagnostic ambiguity leads to uncertainty in management. If a tumor is a small chordoma then early surgery is likely to provide a better outcome. However, unnecessary treatment of a benign tumor may incur unjustified risk.