If you have cancer near your spine, it may be causing some of these symptoms: pain, weakness, and numbness. You may not even realize that you have a tumor until you begin to feel pain. This is one of the most common signs of a tumor in the spine. To identify whether you may have a spinal tumor, consult your doctor. They will perform a diagnostic imaging test and may even recommend treatment.
Mechanical pain is often a symptom of a tumor in the spine that has weakened the integrity of the spinal cord. As a result, the spine moves more than it should. Patients may feel pain in the back when moving, but this pain is usually more bearable when they are lying down. Treatment for this type of pain involves fixing the spine’s instability. A brace, a cement placed into the bone, or surgery to stabilize the spine may be necessary.
The cause of this type of pain varies with the location of the tumor. Back pain is usually the result of a traumatic injury or infection, but in some cases, cancer may be located near the spine and cause back pain. Conservative treatment methods include physical therapy and pain medication. However, cancer near the spine irritates the nerves and causes pain in the back. If the cancer is located close to the spine, it may press on a nerve root or spinal cord, causing other symptoms. This can include muscle weakness, loss of bowel control, urinary incontinence, and even falling.
Treatment for cancer near the spine may include surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy. Treatment for a tumor in the spinal cord can be effective at reducing the size and impact of the tumor. In some cases, the pain will spread to other parts of the body, including the arms and legs. However, spinal tumors progress at different rates. In the meantime, it may lead to paralysis or loss of bowel or bladder functions.
If you notice any of these symptoms, consult a doctor. The symptoms of cancer near the spine may indicate that it is time for a spinal tumor. A biopsy will allow your doctor to determine if the tumor is benign or malignant. The diagnosis will also tell you if the tumor has spread and is growing. Treatment options will depend on the type of cancer. You should also undergo a bone scan, which involves injecting a radioactive substance into a vein. A bone scan is another method that will help diagnose if you have a tumor near the spine.
Another cause of cancer near the spine is bone metastasis. While primary cancers do not often spread to the spine, they can spread to distant parts of the body. When cancer meets the spine, it invades bone and surrounding tissue. As it grows, it eats away at the surrounding tissues, causing insurmountable pain. Inflammatory cancer pain is often caused by the cancer itself. It hurts all the time, especially at night, when the body’s anti-inflammatory molecules are lowered. Ultimately, treating the cancer is the best way to eliminate this pain and keep you healthy.
