Definition & Overview
A spinal tumor is a growth that develops within your spinal canal or within the bones of your spine.
- Intradural tumor: Begins within the spinal cord or its covering (dura).
- Vertebral tumor: Affects the bones of the spine (vertebrae).
Symptoms
Tumors in the spinal column may cause back pain by damaging healthy tissues, such as the vertebrae, and/or by compressing the nerves.
- Loss of sensation or muscle weakness in the legs, arms, or chest
- Pain/neurologic symptoms that increase with straining (Valsalva maneuver)
- Decreased sensitivity to pain, heat, and cold
- Difficulty walking, often leading to falls
- Paralysis (varying degrees depending on location)
Causes
It's not clear why most spinal tumors develop. Experts suspect defective genes play a role.
In some cases, spinal cord tumors are linked to known inherited syndromes, such as Neurofibromatosis 2 and Von Hippel-Lindau disease.
Treatment Options
The goal of spinal tumor treatment is to eliminate the tumor completely while minimizing the risk of permanent damage to the spinal cord. Doctors consider age, overall health, and tumor type.
Monitoring
If small tumors aren't growing or pressing on surrounding tissues, watching them carefully with regular scans may be all that's needed.
Surgery
The treatment of choice for accessible tumors. Newer microsurgery techniques and high-powered microscopes allow surgeons to distinguish tumor from healthy tissue.
Radiation Therapy
Used to eliminate tumor remnants after surgery, or to treat inoperable tumors where surgery is too risky.
Chemotherapy
Uses medications to destroy cancer cells or stop them from growing. Your doctor can determine if this is beneficial for your specific tumor type.