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Warning-sign checks

Sacrococcygeal 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

    Go to an emergency department or call local emergency services if symptoms are sudden, severe, or progressing quickly.

    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

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Do not wait for the next scheduled scan to report a new symptom.

    Seek urgent medical assessment for:

    • New numbness around the genitals, inner thighs, or buttocks
    • New difficulty starting urination or an inability to pass urine
    • New loss of bladder or bowel control
    • Rapidly worsening leg weakness or difficulty walking

    These can be signs of serious pressure on the lower spinal nerves.

    After surgery, promptly report fever, increasing wound redness, drainage, wound opening, or rapidly worsening pain to the surgical team.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine medical appointment if you have persistent or worsening pain around the sacrum or tailbone, especially when it occurs with leg symptoms, a lump, or unexplained changes in bowel or bladder function.

    These symptoms commonly have causes other than chordoma, but they should be assessed.

The article also says

If you have been treated for chordoma, contact your specialist team about new pain, numbness, weakness, bladder or bowel changes, an unexplained lump, or a clear decline in mobility.

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