Tumor of the spinal cord
A spinal cord tumor is a tumor that develops in the spinal canal or the bones that make up the spinal column. It can be benign or malignant
Tumors of the bones of the spine are called vertebral tumors
Tumors that originate directly in the spinal cord are called spinal cord tumors. There are two main types of spinal cord tumors:
- Intramedullary tumors start from cells directly inside the spinal cord. Such tumors are astrocytomas and ependymomas
- Extramedullary tumors develop from cells surrounding the spinal cord These types of tumors can damage the function of the spinal cord by pressing on it and in other ways Examples of extramedullary tumors include schwannomas, meningiomas, and neurofibromas
Metastases from tumors in other parts of the body can be found in the pelvis, around the spinal cord, and rarely in the spinal cord.
Spinal cord tumors or any other growths can cause pain, neurological problems, and sometimes paralysis. Both malignant and benign tumors can be life-threatening and cause lifelong disability. Spinal cord tumors are treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and other medications.
It is not known what causes most spinal cord tumors Experts believe that damaged genes play a role It is not known whether the damage to the genes is congenital, develops spontaneously, or is caused by some irritant in the environment In many cases, spinal cord tumors are associated with known congenital diseases such as neurofibromatosis type 2 and Hippel-Lindau disease.
Types of spinal cord tumors
Spinal cord tumors are divided according to their location
The spinal cord is a long column that carries information to and from the brain The spinal cord is surrounded by protective membranes called meninges The outer layer is called the dura mater, the middle layer is the arachnoid layer, and the inner layer is the pia mater.
Spinal cord tumors can be divided into intradural and extradural tumors based on their location within the membranes.
Intradural tumors develop in the dura mater and are divided into two subcategories:
- Extramedullary tumors These tumors develop outside the spinal cord, for example in the dura surrounding it (meningiomas) or in the nerve roots of the spinal cord (schwannomas and neurofibromas). These tumors are often benign
- Intramedullary tumors These tumors originate in the cells of the spinal cord Most of them are astrocytomas and ependymomas In rare cases, intramedullary tumors can enter the spinal cord through the bloodstream
Signs and symptoms depend on the location and type of tumor, especially when the tumor grows and affects the spinal cord or surrounding blood vessels and nerves. Signs and symptoms of a spinal cord tumor include:
- Back pain that spreads to other parts of the body
- Loss of sensation, especially in the hands and feet
- Difficulty walking, sometimes falling
- Decreased sensitivity to pain, heat, and cold
The pain may radiate to the thighs, legs, feet, or shoulders and may worsen over time despite treatment.
Spinal cord tumors progress at different speeds As a rule, malignant tumors grow quickly, and benign ones - very slowly
When to consult a doctor
Back pain can have many causes Because early detection and treatment are essential for spinal cord tumors, see your doctor if your back pain:
- is persistent and increasing
- not related to activity
- worse at night
- you have had a tumor and develop back pain
