Facts and Tips about Spinal Tumors

Susan Spinasanta

Senior Medical Editor

SpineUniverse

• Non-cancerous (benign) and cancerous (malignant) spinal tumors are rare.
  
• The most common symptom of a spinal tumor is constant non-mechanical back or neck pain. Non-mechanical back or neck pain is not provoked by activity and is not relieved by lying down or resting.
  
• Besides surgical removal, a biopsy is the only way to tell if a tumor is benign or malignant. A biopsy involves removing a small tissue sample and examining it under a microscope.
  
• Not all spinal tumors require immediate surgical removal. Sometimes the tumor is monitored for change. This is a common approach in small benign tumors.
  
• Spinal tumors are caused by an abnormal regulation of cell division. Such a cell abnormality cells to divide and grow aggressively and out of control.