Spinal tumor
Spinal tumor is a tumor that is located near the patient’s spinal cord, or within the bones of spine. It may be benign, or malignant. According to its location, spinal tumor can be divided into three types: intradural, extradural, and intramedullary.
Symptoms and signs of a spinal tumor depend on the location and type of tumor. The following symptoms and signs may occur in a spinal tumor:
- Back pain (the most common and frequent symptom), which often radiates to other parts of sufferer’s body and worsens at night
- Weakness or numbness in the arms or legs
- Difficulty walking
- Paralysis
- Incontinence
- Scoliosis or other spinal deformity
The progression of a spinal tumor is different. For a noncancerous one, it may grow very slowly. But for a cancerous one, it develops quickly. Whether it is benign or malignant, a spinal tumor may threaten life, and lead to permanent disability.
Options for treatment of a spinal tumor depend on many factors, such as the nature and type of tumor, age, overall health condition, and whether the tumor is primary, or has spread to the patient’s spine. Options available:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Medicine
- Stem cell therapy
- Observation
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