Symptoms of cancer near the spine vary according to location and size, but the most common pattern is pain in the affected area, accompanied by neurological problems such as numbness in the arms and legs or changes in bowel and bladder habits. If you’ve recently developed pain in your spine, you may have a metastatic tumor. Although most tumors inside the spinal cord are benign, they can cause pain that persists for years.
These tumors grow in the spinal cord’s medulla, or core. These tumors are hard to remove and are formed from glial cells, the “glue” that holds the nervous system together. Meningioma, meanwhile, is more common in the brain. It can affect the lining of the spinal cord or the dura mater, the outermost layer of the meninges. It can block the flow of cerebral spinal fluid.
Metastatic cancer of the spine is caused by tumors that have metastasized from other areas of the body. It affects roughly 30 percent of cancer patients. The most common types of cancer to metastasize to the spine include lung cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma. The spine is comprised of many different types of tissue. Almost every tissue can become inflamed and develop tumors. A cancer near the spine can cause any number of neurological symptoms, including numbness, paralysis, and numbness.
There are two types of tumors that may arise in the spinal cord: extramedullary tumors and intradural tumours. Extramedullary tumours arise in the outer layer of the spinal cord and can be benign or malignant. Most spinal tumours are secondary deposits of primary cancers, which are usually benign. About five to 10 percent of cancer patients develop MSCC, which can lead to permanent paralysis. However, in rare cases, tumours may be malignant.
If you have a tumor in your spine, your doctor may recommend treatment based on the type and stage of your tumor. Surgery is the most common treatment option for a tumor in this location, but nonsurgical methods are also available. Nonsurgical treatment options include observation and chemotherapy, while radiation therapy may be an effective treatment option for tumors that are too advanced for surgery. After surgery, your doctor may prescribe a regimen of radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
Treatment for cancer in the spine may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of treatments. Surgery can only remove a small portion of the tumor, so treatment for spinal tumors is often complex. However, it is possible to have surgery that will reduce the size of the tumor, while remaining functional. The tumor size and the location of surgery determine treatment options. You should visit a medical oncologist if you suspect that you have cancer in the spine.
Diagnosis of spinal tumors starts with a thorough medical exam. A x-ray will reveal the spine’s structure and outline joints. X-rays are not reliable in diagnosing spinal tumors, however, and may show other possible causes of pain. A biopsy will also confirm whether you have a spinal tumor or not. Your physician will work with a multidisciplinary team, including neurosurgeons, oncologists, and pain management specialists, to determine the most effective treatment options.
