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Spinal tumors refer to growths that develop within or along the spine. Many spinal tumors arise as a result of cancer metastasis, spreading to the spine from another part of the body. They may present with symptoms such as pain in the mid or lower back. The treatment of spinal tumors is highly individualized and varies depending on the tumor’s location, size, and type.
What is Spinal Tumors?
Spinal tumors are defined as abnormal cell growths that develop within the spinal cord or the spine. The spine extends from the skull to the sacrum as part of the pelvis, providing structural support and protection while housing bundles of nerves and cells that carry messages from the brain to the rest of the body.
- Spinal tumors may be located in
- The spinal cord itself
- The tissues covering the spinal cord
- The space between the meninges and the vertebral bones
- The bony vertebrae of the spine
Spinal tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). As they grow, they may damage surrounding spinal structures. Tumors originating in the spine or spinal cord are called primary spinal tumors, while metastatic or secondary spinal tumors develop when cancer spreads to the spine from another part of the body.
Types of spinal tumors
Spinal tumors are classified according to their location, and treatment is determined accordingly. The main types of spinal tumors include:
- Tumors may occur along the spine in the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, or sacral regions.
- If located within the spinal canal, they are defined as intradural-extramedullary, intramedullary, or extradural.
- Tumors that originate in the spine or result from the metastasis of cancer in another part of the body are referred to as secondary spinal tumors.
- Spinal tumors may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
What are the Symptoms of Spinal Tumors?
The symptoms of a spinal tumor vary depending on several factors. Common symptoms include:
- Back pain, the most frequently reported symptom
- Strain related to injury, stress, or physical activity
- Pain that begins gradually and worsens over time
- Severe pain that disrupts sleep
- Pain radiating from the spine to the hips, legs, feet, or arms
- Numbness and tingling in the legs, arms, or chest
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle twitching and spasms
- Stiffness in the back or neck
- Loss of bladder control
- Difficulty walking
- Paralysis developing in different parts of the body, depending on which nerve the tumor compresses
What Causes Spinal Tumors?
The causes of spinal tumors vary depending on their type. The main causes can be categorized as follows:
Primary spinal tumor causes:
- Exposure to carcinogenic chemicals or substances
- Spinal cord lymphomas
- Weakened immune system
- Genetic predisposition
Secondary spinal tumor cause:
- These occur as a result of cancer spreading (metastasizing) from another part of the body to the spine.
How are Spinal Tumors Diagnosed?
Primary spinal tumors are often detected through diagnostic tests, as they may not present with symptoms, and treatment planning is made accordingly. In individuals with symptomatic spinal tumors, back pain is the most common complaint. After learning about the patient’s symptoms and medical history, the physician conducts a general examination, which may include:
- Tenderness in the spine
- Reduced sensation of heat or pain
- Muscle weakness
- Abnormal reflexes
In addition, the following tests may be performed to diagnose spinal tumors:
- Spinal X-rays, MRI, or CT scans
- Biopsy to determine whether the tumor is benign or malignant
- Bone scan
- Blood tests
How is a Spinal Tumor Treated?
The treatment of spinal tumors varies depending on the size, shape, and type of the tumor. The management of metastatic spinal tumors typically includes:
- Relieving pain
- Preserving or improving the function of the spine and spinal cord nerves
- Enhancing quality of life
- Minimizing the impact of symptoms
Here are some of the most commonly used treatments for spinal tumors:
Microsurgical Resection
Microsurgical Resection, uses a microscope, giving the surgeon a magnified view of the surgical field. Microsurgical Resection offers several advantages in treating spinal tumors, including:
- Precision: With the use of a microscope, the surgeon can remove the tumor precisely without damaging surrounding healthy tissues.
- Minimally Invasive: Microsurgical Resection is a minimally invasive procedure, which reduces the size of the incision and the risk of complications.
- Faster Recovery: Patients undergoing microsurgical resection can expect a quicker recovery than those who undergo traditional open surgical procedures.
- Reduced Blood Loss: A microscope and specialized surgical instruments help minimize blood loss during the procedure.
- Improved Outcome: Microsurgical Resection's precision and minimally invasive nature can lead to improved outcomes, including a reduced risk of recurrence and better preservation of spinal function.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery
Stereotactic Radiosurgery is an exact, non-invasive procedure that uses focused beams of radiation to treat spinal tumors. This technique is commonly used for tumors that are located in the spinal cord or in areas that are difficult to reach with traditional surgical methods.
The critical advantage of Stereotactic Radiosurgery is that it allows us to deliver high doses of radiation directly to the site of the tumor while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. This reduces the risk of side effects and helps to preserve the patient's quality of life. The procedure is typically performed outpatient and does not require a hospital stay.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery is a highly effective treatment option for a variety of spinal tumors, including benign and malignant tumors, primary and secondary tumors, and spinal metastases. The procedure has been shown to provide good outcomes in pain relief, stability of the spinal column, and preservation of neurological function. The patient can often resume normal activities soon after the procedure.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a form of systemic therapy, meaning it affects the entire body and is used to target rapidly dividing cancer cells. In some cases, spinal tumors may have spread beyond the spine and into other parts of the body, making chemotherapy an effective treatment option.
Chemotherapy is usually administered orally or intravenously and can be given in combination with other treatments, such as surgery or radiation therapy, to increase its effectiveness. It kills the cancer cells but can also damage healthy cells, causing side effects such as nausea, hair loss, and fatigue.
Chemotherapy is often used as a soothing treatment to help relieve symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease rather than cure it. However, in some cases, it can also be used as a curative treatment when combined with other therapies.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy targets the genetic mutations or protein expressions that drive a tumor's growth and progression. It is an innovative and effective way to treat spinal tumors that are not amenable to traditional surgical resection or radiation therapy.
Targeted therapy works by interfering with the specific molecular pathways that allow tumor cells to divide, grow, and spread. This is achieved using drugs targeting specific proteins or enzymes involved in tumor cell growth and survival. The goal of targeted therapy is to inhibit the growth and spread of tumor cells while preserving normal cells, thus reducing the side effects of treatment.
The use of targeted therapy in spinal tumors is relatively new and is still being investigated in clinical trials. However, the results so far have been promising and have shown that targeted therapy can provide effective and durable control of the tumor with minimal side effects. Additionally, the use of targeted therapy has been shown to be particularly effective in treating spinal tumors that are not amenable to traditional surgical resection or radiation therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spinal Tumor
What are the first signs of a spinal tumor?
The first signs of a spinal tumor are typically back pain or severe pain originating in the mid-back region. In some cases, it may also disrupt sleep.
Why choose minimally ınvasive techniques in spinal tumor surgery?
Minimally invasive techniques in spinal tumor surgery offer several advantages over traditional open surgery, including:
- Smaller incisions result in less pain, scarring, and muscle damage.
- Reduced blood loss, which reduces the risk of transfusions and other complications.
- Faster recovery time allows patients to return to normal activities more quickly.
- Improved cosmetic outcome enhances the patient's self-esteem and quality of life.
What is the most common spinal tumor?
The most common spinal tumors are metastatic tumors that spread to the spine from other parts of the body.
Which types of cancer spread to the spine?
Cancers that may originate in other parts of the body and spread to the spine include breast cancer, prostate cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, melanoma, sarcoma, and kidney cancer.
Who is at risk of developing spinal tumors?
Spinal tumors are more likely to occur in individuals with cancer. Primary spinal tumors are rare but are more commonly seen in adults aged 65–74 and in children aged 10–16.
Which department should I visit for spinal tumors?
The treatment of spinal tumors is managed by specialists in Orthopedics and Traumatology as well as Neurosurgery.
