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Spinal Disorders >> Spinal Tumors >> Non-malignant; Spinal Malignancy

Spinal Tumors

Introduction

Spinal tumors grow within the spinal column or actually in the spinal cord, and are rare. Primary spinal tumors (those starting in the spine) are most rare and tend to occur in young adults. A physician may investigate for spinal tumor or spinal infection if the patient has the following symptoms:

• Back or neck pain accompanied by nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, chills, fever or night sweats
• Back or neck pain that does not improve with rest.
• Back or neck pain that is worse at night.
• Pain in a specific, well-defined area of the back that is worse in the morning.
• Back or neck pain accompanied by neurological symptoms such as numbness or weakness of the arms or legs, or change in the bowel or bladder routine.

Note: Dr. Regan's private practice offers information specific to benign or malignant tumors, select from the following links: Non-malignant and Spinal Malignancy.

What are the types of spinal tumors?

Spinal tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Metastatic spinal tumors are those that spread (metastasize) from another cancer in another area of the body. See "Spinal Malignancy" for information on metastatic cancerous tumors.

Intradural-Extramedullary Tumors

Intradural-extramedullary tumors grow in the spinal canal between the dura (the tough covering over the nerve) and the spinal nerve. Although usually benign and slow-growing, they can cause pain and weakness. Two types of these tumors are meningiomas and nerve sheath tumors (such as schwannomas and neurofibromas).

Intramedullary Tumors

Intramedullary tumors grow inside the spinal cord or individual nerves and occur most frequently in the cervical (neck) spinal cord. Astrocytomas and ependymomas are the two most common types. Although usually benign, they are difficult to remove. Intramedullary lipomas are rare congenital tumors most commonly located in the thoracic spinal cord. These tumors are not neoplasms; these tumors are like normal adipose (fat) tissue. They increase in size and in relation to fatty tissue elsewhere in the body.

What causes spinal tumors?

The causes of primary spinal tumors are uncertain.

Can spinal tumors be prevented?

Without a known cause, prevention of primary spinal tumors is unknown. Fortunately, they are not common.

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