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What is a spinal tumor? Find the answer at University Spine Associates, a practice specializing in minimally invasive spine surgery, spinal fusion techniques, and artificial disc replacement and disc surgery.
Spinal tumors are rare growths occurring in or around the spinal column or vertebrae. Spinal tumors are classified in one of two ways: as a malignant (cancerous) growth or benign (non-cancerous) growth. If left undiagnosed and untreated, a tumor on or in the spine—whether malignant or benign— could pose a serious threat to an individual’s health and overall well-being. Spine tumor symptoms vary depending upon the location, type, and severity of the growth, but are commonly marked by a radiating, severe back pain that originates in the spine and spreads to other areas of the body. This pain is non-mechanical in nature, meaning independent of activity and spine injury, and often worsens at night. Other symptoms associated with a spinal tumor include loss of leg sensation and muscle control, decreased sensitivity to hot and cold, loss of bowel and/or bladder function, paralysis, as well as the onset of a spinal deformity.
Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar, or Sacrum:
The Anatomy
A spinal tumor can occur in any one of the back’s spinal regions. Tumors of the cervical spine appear in the upper section of the spine, directly beneath the skull. Thoracic tumors are found in the mid section of the spine whereas a lumbar spine tumor or a sacrum spine tumor is a growth occurring in the lower regions of the back. These growths can cause serious complications attributed to the deterioration and compression of the spinal column and the subsequent compression of the spinal nerves. As nerve damage is at times irreversible, the prompt diagnosis and treatment of a tumor on or in the cervical, thoracic, and lower spine is imperative to the preservation of neurologic function, as well as patient quality of life.
Types of Spinal Tumors: Malignant vs. Benign
Vertebral (Extradural) Tumors: Extradural tumors reside in the bones (vertebrae) of the spine. While cancerous tumors can originate in the spine, vertebral tumors are most often the result of cancer that has metastasized (or spread) to the spine from another location in the body. Non-cancerous vertebral tumors can cause scoliosis, chronic back pain, and neurological problems if left untreated and undiagnosed.
Intradural-Extramedullary Tumors: This type of tumor develops in the membrane of the spinal cord, in the nerve roots, or at the spinal cord base and is generally non-cancerous.
Intramedullary Tumors: These tumors originate within the spinal cord and can be malignant or benign. Symptoms of an intrameduallry spine tumor may include numbness and loss of feeling, as well as changes in bowel and/or bladder function depending upon the tumor’s size and location.
Spine Tumor Treatment & Surgery
Spine tumor treatment varies depending upon the tumor’s location, its type, as well as the condition of the patient. In many cases, benign tumors that are slow-growing require little more than careful monitoring. If a spinal tumor is cancerous or is causing spinal compression, a doctor’s main objective will be to eradicate the tumor by systemic treatment such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy or at time surgery. Additionally, pharmacologic, alternative, and orthotic approaches to care may be used alone or in conjunction with the above mentioned treatments to alleviate symptoms and restore a patient’s quality of life.
To learn more about spine tumors, the symptoms, and available treatment options, click on the links below:
Spinal Tumor Diagnosis
Spine Tumor Treatment
Surgical Options
Spine Tumor Surgery
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