General Information About Spinal Tumors
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
These are masses of abnormal tissue growth that develop in the vertebrae (the bones of the spine), in the spinal cord running through it, or in the protective membranes surrounding the spinal cord.
A primary tumor originates directly from the spinal bones or nerves and is rare. A metastatic tumor is the spread of cancer from locations such as the lung, breast, or prostate via the bloodstream to the spinal bones; this is much more common.
Ordinary back or neck hernia pain decreases with rest. In contrast, tumor pain is felt intensely while resting and particularly severe enough to wake the patient up at night.
Yes. A growing tumor or the collapse (fracture) of a bone weakened by a tumor directly compresses the spinal cord. This compression can cause numbness, loss of strength in the arms/legs, urinary incontinence, and ultimately permanent paralysis.
Based on physician suspicion, a Spinal MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) clearly demonstrates the tumor's compression on the spinal cord. To screen for metastases, a PET-CT scan is requested, and a Needle Biopsy is performed to ascertain the exact cancer type.
Benign tumors are entirely resected via microsurgery. For malignant ones, the tumor is surgically cleared from the spinal cord, and the collapsed bone is stabilized with titanium screws. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy (radiation) are applied to destroy remaining cells or alleviate pain.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
