&lt;h1 data-section-id=&quot;1yjz5s5&quot; data-start=&quot;144&quot; data-end=&quot;189&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Is It and What Are the Signs?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;191&quot; data-end=&quot;237&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Let&amp;rsquo;s talk about something rare&amp;mdash;but important.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;239&quot; data-end=&quot;519&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;239&quot; data-end=&quot;251&quot;&gt;Chordoma&lt;/strong&gt; is a type of bone cancer that develops in the &lt;strong data-start=&quot;298&quot; data-end=&quot;332&quot;&gt;spine or the base of the skull&lt;/strong&gt;. It&amp;rsquo;s unusual because it starts from tiny leftover cells from early development (before birth) that normally disappear&amp;mdash;but sometimes stick around.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;521&quot; data-end=&quot;611&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Think of it as a &amp;ldquo;leftover blueprint cell&amp;rdquo; that unexpectedly becomes active later in life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;521&quot; data-end=&quot;611&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;1moo061&quot; data-start=&quot;618&quot; data-end=&quot;652&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Where does it usually show up?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;654&quot; data-end=&quot;740&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Chordomas can appear anywhere along the spine, but they tend to prefer two main spots:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;744&quot; data-end=&quot;777&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;744&quot; data-end=&quot;775&quot;&gt;Skull base (near the brain)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;780&quot; data-end=&quot;853&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;780&quot; data-end=&quot;813&quot;&gt;Lower spine (sacrum/tailbone)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;855&quot; data-end=&quot;938&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;They can also develop in between these areas, along the moving parts of your spine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;855&quot; data-end=&quot;938&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;ann1p1&quot; data-start=&quot;0&quot; data-end=&quot;31&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why can it be hard to spot?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;33&quot; data-end=&quot;272&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Chordomas are known for being &lt;strong data-start=&quot;63&quot; data-end=&quot;82&quot;&gt;slow and subtle&lt;/strong&gt;, often developing over many years without causing obvious problems at first. Because they grow gradually, the body has time to &amp;ldquo;adjust,&amp;rdquo; which can make early warning signs easy to overlook.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;274&quot; data-end=&quot;561&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;In the beginning, symptoms might be &lt;strong data-start=&quot;310&quot; data-end=&quot;350&quot;&gt;mild, occasional, or easy to dismiss&lt;/strong&gt;. For example, you might notice a bit of back pain after a long day, a stiff neck, or a headache that comes and goes. These are things many people experience regularly, so it&amp;rsquo;s natural not to think much of them.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;563&quot; data-end=&quot;821&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;As the tumor slowly grows, it can start to &lt;strong data-start=&quot;606&quot; data-end=&quot;659&quot;&gt;press on nearby nerves, bones, or the spinal cord&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;mdash;but even then, the changes often happen little by little. This slow progression is why symptoms can feel like everyday issues rather than something more serious.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;823&quot; data-end=&quot;1092&quot; data-is-last-node=&quot;&quot; data-is-only-node=&quot;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Because of this, chordoma is sometimes only discovered when symptoms become &lt;strong data-start=&quot;899&quot; data-end=&quot;992&quot;&gt;persistent, worsen over time, or start affecting movement, sensation, or daily activities&lt;/strong&gt;. That&amp;rsquo;s why ongoing or unusual symptoms&amp;mdash;especially those that don&amp;rsquo;t improve&amp;mdash;are worth checking out.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1081&quot; data-end=&quot;1184&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;1drgbww&quot; data-start=&quot;1191&quot; data-end=&quot;1223&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Common symptoms to watch for&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1225&quot; data-end=&quot;1295&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Symptoms depend on where the tumor is, but here are the big clues:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;1297&quot; data-end=&quot;1315&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1297&quot; data-end=&quot;1315&quot;&gt;General signs:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1318&quot; data-end=&quot;1349&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Ongoing &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1326&quot; data-end=&quot;1349&quot;&gt;pain near the tumor&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1352&quot; data-end=&quot;1376&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1352&quot; data-end=&quot;1376&quot;&gt;Numbness or weakness&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1379&quot; data-end=&quot;1457&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Changes in &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1390&quot; data-end=&quot;1417&quot;&gt;bowel or bladder habits&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h4 data-section-id=&quot;ws171y&quot; data-start=&quot;1464&quot; data-end=&quot;1503&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;If it&amp;rsquo;s near the skull (head area):&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1507&quot; data-end=&quot;1518&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Headaches&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1521&quot; data-end=&quot;1547&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Blurred or double vision&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1550&quot; data-end=&quot;1579&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Facial numbness or weakness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1582&quot; data-end=&quot;1614&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Trouble speaking or swallowing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1617&quot; data-end=&quot;1672&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Hearing changes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h4 data-section-id=&quot;wxunwb&quot; data-start=&quot;1679&quot; data-end=&quot;1704&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;If it&amp;rsquo;s in the spine:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1708&quot; data-end=&quot;1727&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Back or neck pain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1730&quot; data-end=&quot;1762&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Pain spreading to arms or legs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1765&quot; data-end=&quot;1787&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Weakness or tingling&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1790&quot; data-end=&quot;1858&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Difficulty walking or moving&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h4 data-section-id=&quot;38k7h4&quot; data-start=&quot;1865&quot; data-end=&quot;1912&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;If it&amp;rsquo;s in the lower spine (tailbone area):&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1916&quot; data-end=&quot;1935&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Pain when sitting&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1938&quot; data-end=&quot;1961&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;A noticeable &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1951&quot; data-end=&quot;1959&quot;&gt;lump&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1964&quot; data-end=&quot;1996&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Numbness in the hips or thighs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1999&quot; data-end=&quot;2069&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Constipation or urinary issues&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h4 data-section-id=&quot;1u5fmvb&quot; data-start=&quot;2076&quot; data-end=&quot;2104&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What&amp;rsquo;s happening inside?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2106&quot; data-end=&quot;2266&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;As the tumor grows, it can &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2133&quot; data-end=&quot;2188&quot;&gt;press on nerves, the spinal cord, or nearby tissues&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;mdash;and that&amp;rsquo;s what causes most symptoms.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2106&quot; data-end=&quot;2266&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;1lh91me&quot; data-start=&quot;2273&quot; data-end=&quot;2291&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Quick takeaway&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2295&quot; data-end=&quot;2341&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;A &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2297&quot; data-end=&quot;2339&quot;&gt;rare cancer of the spine or skull base&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2344&quot; data-end=&quot;2388&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Often &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2350&quot; data-end=&quot;2386&quot;&gt;slow-growing and subtle at first&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2391&quot; data-end=&quot;2424&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Symptoms depend on &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2410&quot; data-end=&quot;2422&quot;&gt;location&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2427&quot; data-end=&quot;2479&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Pain + nerve-related changes are key warning signs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2481&quot; data-end=&quot;2549&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;If symptoms persist or worsen over time, it&amp;rsquo;s worth getting checked.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2481&quot; data-end=&quot;2549&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;b94f8g&quot; data-start=&quot;2569&quot; data-end=&quot;2595&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Causes It?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2597&quot; data-end=&quot;2650&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Now for the big question: &lt;em data-start=&quot;2623&quot; data-end=&quot;2650&quot;&gt;why does chordoma happen?&amp;nbsp;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;The short answer: it starts in your DNA&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2702&quot; data-end=&quot;2795&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Chordoma begins when certain cells develop genetic changes (mutations) that tell them to:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2799&quot; data-end=&quot;2820&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Grow uncontrollably&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2823&quot; data-end=&quot;2853&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Avoid normal cell &amp;ldquo;shutdown&amp;rdquo;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2856&quot; data-end=&quot;2908&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Form a tumor&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;64dfgy&quot; data-start=&quot;2915&quot; data-end=&quot;2956&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The origin story (pretty fascinating)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2958&quot; data-end=&quot;3054&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Before birth, your body forms a structure called the &lt;strong data-start=&quot;3011&quot; data-end=&quot;3024&quot;&gt;notochord&lt;/strong&gt;, which helps build the spine.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Normally, it disappears.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;But in some people, &lt;strong data-start=&quot;3102&quot; data-end=&quot;3131&quot;&gt;tiny remnants stay behind&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;mdash;and in rare cases, these cells can later turn into chordoma.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3082&quot; data-end=&quot;3232&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;lcchpq&quot; data-start=&quot;3239&quot; data-end=&quot;3270&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Do we know the exact cause?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3272&quot; data-end=&quot;3283&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Not really.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Most chordomas happen &lt;strong data-start=&quot;3307&quot; data-end=&quot;3319&quot;&gt;randomly&lt;/strong&gt;, without a clear trigger.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;But researchers have found some clues.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-section-id=&quot;ki642u&quot; data-start=&quot;3434&quot; data-end=&quot;3459&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Possible risk factors&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;h5 data-start=&quot;3461&quot; data-end=&quot;3485&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #3366ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3461&quot; data-end=&quot;3483&quot;&gt;1. Genetic changes&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h5&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3488&quot; data-end=&quot;3544&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Mutations in certain genes (like TBXT) may play a role&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3547&quot; data-end=&quot;3648&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;These changes can happen randomly or rarely run in families&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h5 data-start=&quot;3655&quot; data-end=&quot;3667&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #3366ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3655&quot; data-end=&quot;3665&quot;&gt;2. Age&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h5&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3670&quot; data-end=&quot;3765&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Most common in adults between &lt;strong data-start=&quot;3700&quot; data-end=&quot;3723&quot;&gt;40 and 60 years old&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h5 data-start=&quot;3772&quot; data-end=&quot;3802&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #3366ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3772&quot; data-end=&quot;3800&quot;&gt;3. Family history (rare)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h5&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3805&quot; data-end=&quot;3844&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;A small number of cases are inherited&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h5 data-start=&quot;3851&quot; data-end=&quot;3875&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #3366ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3851&quot; data-end=&quot;3873&quot;&gt;4. Sex differences&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h5&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3878&quot; data-end=&quot;3973&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Slightly more common in people assigned male at birth&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h4 data-section-id=&quot;17l9uc9&quot; data-start=&quot;3980&quot; data-end=&quot;3998&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;Can it spread?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4000&quot; data-end=&quot;4045&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Yes&amp;mdash;although many grow slowly, chordomas can:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4049&quot; data-end=&quot;4072&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Invade nearby tissues&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4075&quot; data-end=&quot;4102&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Come back after treatment&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4105&quot; data-end=&quot;4184&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Sometimes spread (often to the lungs)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;2aojcf&quot; data-start=&quot;4191&quot; data-end=&quot;4213&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The bigger picture&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4215&quot; data-end=&quot;4236&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Chordoma is a mix of:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4240&quot; data-end=&quot;4287&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Developmental leftovers (notochord cells)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4290&quot; data-end=&quot;4313&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Genetic mutations&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4316&quot; data-end=&quot;4351&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Time (slow growth over years)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;zdqqgt&quot; data-start=&quot;4358&quot; data-end=&quot;4377&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Simple takeaway&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4381&quot; data-end=&quot;4423&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Starts from &lt;strong data-start=&quot;4393&quot; data-end=&quot;4421&quot;&gt;leftover embryonic cells&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4426&quot; data-end=&quot;4456&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Triggered by &lt;strong data-start=&quot;4439&quot; data-end=&quot;4454&quot;&gt;DNA changes&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4459&quot; data-end=&quot;4487&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Usually &lt;strong data-start=&quot;4467&quot; data-end=&quot;4485&quot;&gt;no clear cause&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4490&quot; data-end=&quot;4527&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Often slow&amp;mdash;but can still be serious&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

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