Intrathoracic chordoma presenting as a posterior mediastinal tumor.

Chordomas are tumors originating from remnants of the notochord, most commonly found in the cranial and caudal regions. This is a report of the seventh intrathoracic chordoma in the world literature and the second to be reported in a woman. Histologically the physalipherous (blister-bearing) cell is characteristic of the tumor. Complete surgical excision is rarely successful and recurrence with or without metastasis is the rule.