Genetic Aspects of Chordoma: A Collaboration With SEER Registries to Identify Chordoma Families

Study Summary

Chordoma is an uncommon (400 case/year in the U.S.) and potentially fatal bone tumor derived from remnants of embryonic notochord. It occurs primarily in the axial skeleton and has a mean age at diagnosis of 55 years, with a range from early childhood to over 70 years. This tumor usually presents at an advanced stage and the associated mortality is high due to local destruction and distant metastases. Chordoma is rare in African-Americans and is typically sporadic; there are few reports of these tumors arising congenitally or within members of the same family. Recently, we have identified and studied one large family in which 10 relatives in three generations have chordoma; the inheritance pattern suggests transmission of a mutation in an autosomal dominant gene. Using information from this family, we have tentatively napped this gene to the long arm of chromosome 7. To confirm this finding, and to fine map and clone the gene, we need to study additional chordoma families. In an effort to identify such families, we have developed collaborations with four SEER registries covering the populations of Detroit, Los Angeles, Iowa, and New Mexico. Each registry will identify all chordoma cases diagnosed since 1988 and invite them (or the next of kin of deceased cases) to participate in our study. Through 1997, the registries have identified a total of 140 chordoma cases, 96 of whom are living. The registries will invite these patients (or their next of kin) to participate in the study. The study components include completion of a self-administered personal and family medical history questionnaire, retrieval of medical records and pathology reports pertaining to chordoma, and collection of paraffin-embedded chordoma tissue and buccal mucosal cells for genetic studies. NCI will carry out all the data collection activities for the study subjects identified through the Detroit registry. NCI will also conduct the buccal cell collection component of the study for all patients i