Chordoma

Condition

Chordoma is a rare and aggressive bone tumor. They arise from remnants of embryonic cells present at birth and continue to grow anywhere along the spine from the skull base to the sacrum. Although slow-growing, they can be life-threatening if not treated properly. Effective treatment is challenging and often requires the removal of the entire tumor in one piece (en-bloc resection technique) while operating near critical neural and vascular structures.

The Brown University Chordoma Center at Rhode Island Hospital combines extensive experience and technical expertise in the multidisciplinary treatment of chordoma arising from the spine and skull base. Our center is led by the chairman of the Brown / Lifespan Neurosurgery Department, Dr. Ziya L. Gokaslan, a world-renowned neurosurgeon with unique expertise in spinal chordoma treatment. Our team of neurosurgeons, general surgeons, plastic surgeons, oncologists, and radiation oncologists work together to ensure patients receive personalized specialty care to ensure an optimal treatment outcome.

Chordomas are best treated with complete removal, with en bloc resection of the tumor. Those are some of the techniques I developed over the years to be able to do that in any location in the spinal column.

Ziya L. Gokaslan, MD Professor and Chair of Neurosurgery

Comprehensive Care Center

Comprehensive Brain Tumor Center

Combining multidisciplinary clinical care with cutting-edge basic research in the diagnosis and treatment of intracranial benign and malignant tumors.

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Norman Prince Spine Institute

Delivering personalized care through a multidisciplinary approach, integrating innovative surgical and nonsurgical techniques.

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People

Ziya Gokaslan, MD, FAANS, FACS

Julius Stoll, MD Professor and Chair, Department of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgeon-in-Chief, Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam Hospital, Clinical Director, Norman Prince Neurosciences Institute, President, Neurosurgery Foundation
Curtis E. Doberstein, MD

Professor of Neurosurgery, Executive Vice Chair, Clinical Operations, Director, Cerebrovascular and Skull-base Surgery Division, Director, Neurosurgery Residency Training Program
Thomas J. Miner, MD

Associate Professor of Surgery, Chief, Surgical Oncology
Eric T. Wong, MD

Professor of Medicine, Professor of Radiation Oncology, Professor of Neurosurgery, Professor of Neurology, Director of Medical Neuro-Oncology