Types & Treatment for Spinal Tumors

Tumors which grow within your spinal canal or inside bones of spine are called spinal tumors. Spinal tumor may either be cancerous or non-cancerous in nature. Tumors that affect spinal bones are called as vertebral tumors. Moreover, tumors that start inside spinal cord itself are called spinal cord tumors. Two primary types of tumors which affect the spinal cord are as follows:

• Intramedullary tumors
• Extramedullary tumors

Any type of spinal tumors can lead to pain, neurological issues and sometimes paralysis. Spinal tumors can be fatal and can cause permanent disability as well, irrespective of whether the tumor is cancerous or non-cancerous. Spinal tumors can be treated by surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or other medications.

Types of Spinal Tumors

Three types of spinal tumors which may cause back pain are as follows: 

• Vertebral Column Tumors:

         1. Primary tumors

         2. Metastatic tumors 

• Intradural-Extramedullary Tumors:

        1. Meningioma’s

        2. Nerve Sheath Tumors

• Intramedullary Tumors

Signs & Symptoms of Spinal Tumors

Some general signs & symptoms related to spinal tumors are as follows.

• Pain in the back or neck, weakness of arms or legs, or change in bladder habits
• Focal spine pain
• Severe pain in direct manipulation or compression of affected region of spine
• Pain that won’t go away with rest
• Pain which becomes worse during night than during morning
• Back pain, loss of appetite, unplanned weight loss, nausea, vomiting or fever, shakes or chills

Treatment Options for Spinal Tumors

Treatment for each type of spinal tumor is explained below.

1. Treatment for Vertebral Column Tumors

Aim of this treatment is:

• To manage severe pain occurring with these tumors
• By reducing pressure on spinal cord
• By rebuilding unstable spinal cord with spinal fusion

2. Treating Intradural-Extramedullary Tumors & Intramedullary Tumors

Though these tumors are surgically removed, goal of this treatment is to:

• Completely remove the tumor
• Maintain neurological function

Spinal cord and nerves are very much sensitive and try to prevent damage to these structures as they are vital parts of surgery process. Frequent monitoring skills may be used throughout the surgery to govern function of spinal cord while these tumors are removed. If these tumors cannot be removed completely after surgery, radiotherapy may improve outcome to some extent in some cases. In case, when tumor has spread to other parts of the body, then chemotherapy will be helpful.

Complications in Spinal Tumors

Both cancerous and noncancerous spine tumors can compress spinal cord and its nerves, leading to loss of mobility or sensation and sometimes changes in bladder and bowel function. Moreover, this nerve damage can also become permanent. However, when tumor is diagnosed early and treated aggressively, it will be possible to prevent further loss of function and hostile treatments which have been designed to facilitate process of recovery from injury to as normal a condition as it is possible.

Cost of Spinal Tumor Treatment

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