[Contribution concerning radiotherapy of chordomas with regard to own cases and those presented in literature (author's transl)].

The authors describe chordomas, i.e. relatively rare dysontogenetic tumors, their different localisations and the possibilities of radiologic diagnosis. Particular attention is paid to the therapy methods, namely operation, radiotherapy, and their combination, and to the problem of the high rates of local recurrences (36% on an average). The therapeutic problems of seven own cases are discussed and compared to those mentioned in literature. Surgery which should be performed as radically as possible and subsequent high dose radiotherapy (6000 rad) are stated to be at present the most promising therapy combination.