Abstract:ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical features and surgical treatment of skull base chordoma.MethodsClinical data of 33 patients suffering from skull base chordoma microsurgically treated in our department from Jan 2011 to Dec 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. The therapeutic effect was evaluated by analysing the surgical approach, degree of tumor resection and postoperative complications.ResultsOf the 33 patients, total resection (TR) was achieved in 19, subtotal resection (STR) in 12, and most part resection in 2 with a TR rate of 57%. Two patients with new onset of limited eyeball abduction and diplopia got recovered gradually in one month after operation. Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea occurred in 2 patients receiving tumor resection via transnasal sphenoidal approach was cured with lumbar cistern drainage in one case and surgical repair in the other. Postoperative hypopituitarism in 2 patients returned to normal gradually by hormone replacement therapy for 2 to 3 months. There were no perioperative deaths. All the patients were followed up 6 to 108 months postoperatively. Tumor recurred in 5 cases after TR with a recurrence rate of 26%, and progressed significantly in 4 with STR. One of the 2 patients who underwent most part resection progressed rapidly and died half a year later. Of all the 33 cases, the median progression free survival (PFS) was 73 months with a 5year PFS of 63.2% and a 5year survival rate of 96.7%.ConclusionsSurgical removal is the foremost treatment method for skull base chordoma. Careful preoperative image evaluation and choice of proper surgical approach can improve the total resection rate of tumor. Postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy may postpone tumor recurrence.