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Warning-sign checks

Clival chordoma: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Sudden vision loss, stroke-like symptoms, seizures, severe breathing or swallowing difficulty, or confusion require immediate medical care.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Follow-up generally includes clinical visits and repeat MRI of the skull base.

    CT may be added when bone detail is needed.

    Chest or other body imaging may be recommended based on the tumor's features, previous findings, and treatment history.

    Follow-up may also include eye examinations, hearing tests, pituitary hormone blood tests, and assessments of swallowing, speech, balance, or nerve function.

The article also says

There is no single schedule for everyone.

Timing depends on the extent of surgery, pathology results, radiation, residual disease, and time since treatment.

Because recurrence can occur years later, monitoring usually continues long term.

Contact the care team between appointments about persistent new headaches, double vision, facial numbness, hearing changes, swallowing problems, unexplained changes in weight or energy, increased thirst and urination, or new pain elsewhere.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Clival chordoma. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.