Can a cancer near the spine be deadly? The answer depends on the type of cancer that has spread to the spine. Most cancers that spread to the spine are primary types of lung, breast, or melanoma. Some types of cancer can also spread to the spine, including tumors in the gastrointestinal tract or the kidney. These cancers have a high risk of spreading to other parts of the body. If you suspect you might have cancer near the spine, the first step is to seek medical attention.
The most common types of bone cancer are osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma. Although neither one is very common in the spinal cord, they can occur near the spine. Osteosarcoma affects the nerves and is usually found in the thigh and shin bones. Chondrosarcoma, on the other hand, is a type of bone cancer that originates in the cartilage surrounding a bone. Multiple myeloma, or multiple sclerosis, affects the white blood cells in the spinal column and can develop in multiple bones. Other types of tumors in the spine include spinal hemangiomas and multiple myeloma. While they may have no symptoms, these cancers are usually malignant and require treatment. Some tumors, however, are benign and may only require monitoring.
The type of treatment for a cancer near the spine depends on the type of tumor and the patient’s age. Patients with a primary tumor will likely undergo surgery that will completely remove the tumor. Patients with metastatic tumors, on the other hand, will require palliative care. If a patient has cancer near the spine, the treatment may be more complex. In some cases, patients with spinal tumors may not respond to chemotherapy or radiation treatments.
A spinal tumor can cause radicular pain, which radiates from the spine to the feet, arms, and legs. This type of pain is often accompanied by neurological problems, such as changes in bowel or bladder habits. Some patients experience new onsets of spinal pain, which may indicate a fractured spinal cord caused by a metastatic tumor. On the other hand, tumors that develop inside the dura may be relatively benign but can cause pain for years.
Another type of cancer near the spine is an intradural-extramedullary tumor. These tumors develop inside the outermost layer of the spinal cord but outside the actual spinal cord. Intramedullary tumors are relatively rare, with a 40 percent occurrence rate. Most occur in the spinal cord’s arachnoid membrane and in nerve roots. Intramedullary tumors usually remain benign for years before symptoms start to appear. If you suspect cancer near the spine, see your doctor as soon as possible.
In addition to cancers in the brain and spinal cord, there are other tumors in the area surrounding the brain. A tumor near the spine could be caused by a malfunction of the pituitary gland. For example, tumors of the pituitary gland can cause Cushing’s syndrome or a similar neurological disorder. Fortunately, there are many treatments available that can cure or at least improve the symptoms. The good news is that these tumors rarely lead to life-threatening symptoms.
