Mechanical pain sources are most often significantly improved by some "restful" position and significantly worsened by activity. Furthermore, in the event of a malignant spinal tumor the primary considerations are those of the aggressiveness of the tumor itself (and by correlation, any particular sensitivities of the tumor cell to treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or hormonal therapy); the degree to which the mechanical integrity of the bony spinal column has been compromised; and the degree of neurological compromise. With these primary factors in mind the surgical team, in conjunction with the medical team will also consider the overall medical status of the patient in order to come to a treatment plan optimized for that individual patient.
Spinal Tumors
Part 1 of 4
Spinal tumors, also called neoplasms, are abnormal growths of tissue found inside the spinal column. Tumors that originate in the spine are called primary tumors and are very rare. Primary tumors are either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Benign tumors can cause pain and damage bone tissue, but are not as serious as malignant tumors which can spread cancer to other parts of the body.
Most primary tumors are caused by out-of-control growth among cells that reside in the spinal column or neural tissues. In a small number of individuals, primary tumors may be associated with a specific genetic disease such as neurofibromatosis, or from exposure to radiation or cancer-causing chemicals. However, the cause of most primary tumors remains a mystery. They are not contagious and, at this time, are not preventable.
Spinal tumors that are the result of cancer spreading from other parts of the body are called secondary or metastatic tumors. The spreading of cancer from one part of the body to another is called metastasis. All secondary tumors are malignant because they originated from cancerous tumors elsewhere in the body. Spinal tumors are also classified by the part of the spine where they are located. These classifications are called cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacrum.
They are also classified by their location in the spine (anterior - in the front or posterior - in the back). While most malignant tumors arise from the anterior area, benign spinal tumors may arise from either the anterior or posterior areas. Once the tumor is classified as benign or malignant it may be given a numbered score that reflects how malignant it is. This score helps doctors determine how to treat the tumor and predict the likely outcome, or prognosis, for the patient.
Symptoms
of Spinal Tumors
The primary symptom of a spinal tumor, and the one that
brings most patients to seek medical advice, is non-mechanical
back pain. Non-mechanical back pain is different from the
more common mechanical back pain. Mechanical back pain due
to muscle strains or disc injury usually worsens with activities
such as sitting, bending, and walking and gets better with
rest or lying down, whereas non-mechanical back pain is
constant and is not improved by rest or lying down. Other
symptoms include
- Sciatica
- Numbness
- Partial paralysis
- Spinal deformity
- Difficulty with bladder control
- Fever
Symptoms of spinal tumors generally develop slowly and worsen over time unless they are treated.
Stephen E. Heim, M.D., F.A.C.S.
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This information is not designed to replace a physician's independent judgment about the appropriateness or risks of a procedure for a given patient. Always consult your doctor about your medical conditions or back problem. SpineUniverse does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Use of the SpineUniverse.com site is conditional upon your acceptance of our User Agreement
