Spinal Tumors Specialist

What is a spinal tumor?

Spinal tumors grow in your spinal canal or inside the bones of the spine (the vertebrae). These tumors can be cancerous, likely resulting from metastatic cancer (cancer that’s spread from another part of your body). Estimates say that 30-70% of patients with cancer will experience a spread of cancer to their spine.

Benign tumors of the spine are quite rare and are usually seen in young adults. The most common type is a vertebral hemangioma, a slow-growing tumor that rarely causes pain.

What symptoms suggest a spinal tumor?

Back pain in the middle or lower back can indicate a spinal tumor. This pain can’t be attributed to injury, stress, or physical activity. But you could notice that the pain increases when you’re active and as you lay down for bed.

You could also notice that the pain spreads beyond the back to the hips, feet, legs, or arms. The pain can continue to worsen even when treated with therapies that ease traditional back pain.

Other symptoms of a spinal tumor include:

• Stiff neck or back
• Numbness or weakness in the legs, arms or chest
• Pain and/or neurologic symptoms (like tingling) increase with the Valsalva maneuver
• Difficulty walking, which may cause falls
• Decreased sensitivity to pain, heat, and cold
• Loss of bowel or bladder function

Scoliosis can develop from a large tumor or you could experience paralysis due to compression of specific nerves.

How are spinal tumors treated?

Because most spinal tumors arise due to advanced cancer, treatment has the goal of:

• Controlling severe pain
• Removing pressure on the nerves or spinal cord
• Preventing the collapse of the spine by stabilizing it with spinal fusion

In general, people with metastases who are expected to live 3 months or longer and have tumors resistant to radiation or chemotherapy are eligible for spinal tumor surgery. If you have unmanageable pain, spinal cord compression, or pathological fractures, surgery can help.

If you have symptoms that suggest a spinal tumor, don’t delay in contacting RESTORE Orthopedics and Spine Center. The sooner you receive treatment, the more likely you are to fully recover. Call the office today or book online for a consultation.