Spinal tumors
Nagpur spinal tumor can cause compression of spinal nerves and a person would not be able to move or feel anything below the level of the tumor. Sometimes there may also be changes in bowel and bladder functions. The damage to the nerve is permanent.
Spinal tumors are those growths that appear within your spinal canal or within the bones of your spine:
Types of spinal tumors:
Intradural intramedullary tumors develop inside the cells inside the spinal cord.
– Extramedullary tumors: these will occur in the membrane around the spinal cord or the nerve roots.
Symptoms:
1. Back pain
2. Neck pain
3. Pain to the limb or arms/legs
4. Weakness
5. Numbness or tingling
6. Paralysis
7. Scoliosis or curvature of the spine
Diagnosis:
1. Imaging tests like X-ray, CT scan, and MRI scan
2. Biopsy or examination of tissue sample
Treatment:
1. Surgical intervention: removal of a tumor and stabilization of the spine
2. Radiation therapy
3. Chemotherapy
4. Treatment to control pain
5. Rehabilitation
It is advisable to seek a doctor or a spine specialist for the proper assessment and treatment plan if you suspect that you have a spinal tumor.
What Is a Spinal tumors ?
A spinal tumor is an abnormal gathering of cells in the spine. Benigns are usually noncancerous, while malignant spinal tumors are cancerous. They could grow in various parts of the spine, including the vertebrae (bones), spinal cord, nerve roots, meninges, and blood vessels. Spinal tumors fall under: Primary; the growth begins within the spine Metastatic; these start elsewhere as a distinct form of cancer. The types of spinal tumors include; Osteoma; bone Osteoblastoma; bone Hemangioma; blood vessels Meningioma; meninges
5. Schwannoma (nerve sheath)
6. Glioma (spinal cord)
7. Chordoma (bone)
Spinal cord tumors may cause a range of symptoms depending on the level and size of the tumor. They include back pain, neck pain, radicular pain, weakness, numbness, tingling, and paralysis.
Early diagnosis or treatment can avoid further damage or help to a improve outcomes.
Types of Spinal Tumors:
Spinal tumors are classified based on their location relative to the spinal cord and vertebrae.
1. Intramedullary Tumors:
These tumors develop within the spinal cord itself and are relatively rare. They most commonly arise from glial cells, which support the neurons in the spinal cord.
- Astrocytomas: The most common type of intramedullary tumor in children.
- Ependymomas: Common in both children and adults, they often form in the lining of the spinal cord’s central canal.
- Gliomas: Tumors arising from glial cells that support or insulate nerve cells.
2. Extramedullary Tumors:
These tumors occur outside the spinal cord but within its protective coverings or surrounding structures.
- Meningiomas: Benign tumors that grow from the meninges, the membranes that cover the spinal cord. They are more common in middle-aged women.
- Nerve sheath tumors (Schwannomas and Neurofibromas): These tumors arise from the protective covering of nerves. They are typically benign but can cause significant symptoms due to compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots.
- Metastatic tumors: These are cancerous tumors that have spread from other parts of the body (commonly from the lungs, breasts, prostate, or kidneys) to the bones of the spine. They are the most common type of the spinal tumor.
3. Vertebral Tumors:
These tumors grow within the bones of the spine (vertebrae). They can be primary bone tumors and metastatic tumors.
- Osteosarcoma: The malignant tumor that originates in a bone.
- Chordoma: A rare type of tumor that arises from remnants of the notochord, typically occurring in the sacrum (base of the spine) or the cervical spine (neck).
- Hemangiomas: Benign vascular tumors that occur in the vertebrae.
Symptoms of Spinal Tumors:
Symptoms of spinal tumors depend on the type, size, and location of the tumor, as well as whether it compresses the spinal cord or surrounding nerves. Common symptoms include:
- Back pain: Often the earliest symptom, it may worsen over time, be persistent, and not improve with rest. It may radiate to the arms, legs, or chest.
- Numbness or tingling: Often in the arms, legs, or other areas of the body.
- Weakness: Gradual loss of strength in the arms or legs, sometimes leading to difficulty walking.
- Difficulty with balance and coordination: Especially with tumors compressing the spinal cord.
- Loss of bladder or bowel control: Indicates compression of the nerves controlling the bladder and bowels.
- Muscle spasms or twitching: Involuntary muscle movements may occur if nerve roots are affected.
- Paralysis: In more advanced cases, the tumor may cause partial or complete paralysis below the level of the spinal cord compression.
Diagnosis of Spinal Tumors:
Diagnosis involves a combination of physical examinations, imaging tests, and sometimes biopsy to determine the tumor type.
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): The preferred method for diagnosing spinal tumors, as it provides detailed images of the spinal cord and surrounding structures.
- CT Scan (Computed Tomography): Often used in conjunction with an MRI to provide more detailed views of the bones and tumors in the vertebrae.
- X-rays: Can detect bone abnormalities but may not show soft tissue tumors.
- Biopsy: If the tumor is suspected to be cancerous, a biopsy may be taken to determine the specific type of cancer and guide treatment.
Treatment of Spinal Tumors:
The goal of treatment is to remove or reduce the tumor while preserving neurological function. Treatment options depend on the type, size, or location of the tumor, as well as the patient’s overall health.
1. Non-Surgical Treatments:
- Radiation Therapy: Often used to shrink or destroy tumors that cannot be removed surgically or as an adjunct to surgery. It is especially effective for metastatic and some primary malignant tumors.
- Chemotherapy: Used for certain types of the cancerous tumors, especially when they have spread to the spine from other parts of a body. However, not all spinal tumors respond well to a chemotherapy.
- Steroids: Corticosteroids, like dexamethasone, may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and swelling around the tumor, relieving pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.
- Pain Management: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, or other pain relief medications may be used to control symptoms.
2. Surgical Treatments:
Surgery may be necessary for spinal tumors that cause significant neurological symptoms, spinal instability, or pain. The extent of surgery depends on the tumor’s size, location, and type.
- Tumor Resection: Complete or partial removal of the tumor. In cases where the tumor cannot be entirely removed without causing neurological damage, partial resection may be followed by radiation therapy.
- Spinal Decompression: Surgery to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerves caused by the tumor.
- Spinal Fusion: May be performed to stabilize the spine after tumor removal, especially if part of the vertebrae is affected by the tumor or removed during surgery.
- Minimally Invasive Surgery: In some cases, minimally invasive techniques can be used to remove smaller tumors with less damage to surrounding tissues.
Prognosis:
The prognosis for spinal tumors depends on the type of tumor, whether it is benign or malignant, and whether it is primary or metastatic. Early detection and treatment can improve outcomes, especially in benign tumors or cases where the tumor is localized and has not spread.
- Benign tumors: These typically have a good prognosis if they can be completely removed or effectively treated with radiation. However, they may still cause significant neurological symptoms if they compress the spinal cord or nerves.
- Malignant tumors: The prognosis for malignant spinal tumors, especially metastatic tumors, varies. Treatment focuses on controlling the tumor’s growth, relieving symptoms, and improving the patient’s quality of life.
- Metastatic tumors: These typically indicate advanced cancer that has spread from other areas of the body. Treatment may be palliative, focusing on pain relief and managing symptoms.
Complications:
- Neurological Damage: Permanent nerve damage, including paralysis, may occur if the tumor compresses the spinal cord or nerves for an extended period.
- Spinal Instability: Tumors in the vertebrae may weaken the bones, leading to fractures or spinal instability, which can cause further pain or neurological symptoms.
- Pain: Ongoing pain, especially in cases of malignant or metastatic tumors.
- Recurrence: Some tumors may recur even after surgery or radiation.
What procedures Spinal tumors?
Spinal Tumors Treatment involves:
1. Surgical procedures:
- Tumor resection, or removal
- Laminectomy, or removal of part of the vertebra
- Fusion, or joining two or more vertebrae
- Instrumentation, using rods, screws, or cages
2. Minimally invasive spine surgery
3. Endoscopic spine surgery
4. Laser spine surgery
5. Radiosurgery, a non-invasive radiation therapy
6. Vertebroplasty/Kyphoplasty, strengthening of compressed vertebra
7. Embolization, a blockage to the blood supply of a tumor
8. Chemotherapy
9. Radiation therapy
10. Pain management procedures such as nerve blocks and spinal cord stimulation
Procedure(s) are determined:
1. Type and location of the tumor
2. Size and growth rate
3. Symptoms and neurologic deficits
4. General medical history and condition of the patient
At our Neurosys Multispeciality Center, we perform several key procedures including Craniotomy, which is primarily for the excision of brain tumors; V-P Shunt Surgery for treating hydrocephalus; surgeries for epilepsy; and operations targeting brain stem glioma. Beyond these, we offer a range of other neurosurgical services. If you have any questions that are not answere, please contact us through our Contact Us or Book your Appointment.