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.

Lymphoma is a less common malignant brain tumor and more commonly seen in the elderly. It will often present suddenly with a loss of neurologic function, confusion, forgetfulness, or a deficit, such as speech problems or weakness. Patients are typically treated with surgical biopsy followed by steroids and other treatments including chemotherapy, radiation, and novel clinical trials.

There are many different types of sacral tumors. They can broadly be classified as either being a metastasis or a primary bone tumor. 

Tumors can arise within the spinal cord itself, (intramedullary) or below the dura surrounding the spinal cord (extramedullary).