Spinal Tumor: Diagnosis & Treatments

Spinal TumorSpinal Tumor

People have a tendency to ignore conditions that don't directly or immediately affect their bodies. The spine is one such important body part that is frequently disregarded. We often overlook it despite the fact that it is crucial for maintaining structure, protecting the spinal cord, and permitting movement. Many spinal problems start as asymptomatic and progress over time to become life-altering conditions. Spinal tumours are one such condition that is characterised by abnormal cell growth which can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). These tumours can develop on the vertebrates, inside the spinal cord, between the tissues and the bones, or in the tissues that cover the spinal cord.

Importance of Early Diagnosis & Treatment

For the treatment of spinal tumours and other spine-related conditions, the saying ‘an early warning is worth a lifetime of healing’ is accurate. Since the spine is crucial for maintaining the body's structure and safeguarding the nervous system, problems with it can have a direct impact on one's overall quality of life - necessitating early detection and treatment. Additionally, early intervention can help identify the tumour in its early stages and take prompt action before complications or severe symptoms appear.

Benefits	Reasoning
Neurological Protection	Prevents nerve damage, preserving motor & sensory functions
Prevents Progression	Early intervention can stop its growth which may affect other parts
Symptom Relief	Reduces pain, weakness & numbness
Surgical Success	Easier tumour removal & quicker recovery
Quality of Life	Maintains mobility & independence, avoiding severe disability

Additionally, early treatment of spinal tumours can also improve treatment outcomes, reduce risk because less invasive procedures may be the preferred course of action in the early stages, reduce financial burden because early intervention may prevent the need for intensive treatments, and improve emotional health by lowering stress and anxiety.

Types of Spinal Tumors

Spinal tumors can develop on any part of the spinal column, including the spinal cord, tissues surrounding the spine, and the vertebrae. Tumors that develop on the spine or spinal cord are called primary spinal tumours, while tumours resulting from cancer from other body parts are known as secondary spinal tumours or metastatic. Types of spinal tumours can be characterised based on the region of the spine, i.e. cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and based on the area within the spinal column, including,

Intramedullary Tumors:
This kind of tumour is the least common among others. Tumors develop on the inside of the spinal cord.

Intradural-extramedullary Tumors:
The 2nd most common type of spinal tumours are intradural-extramedullary tumours. These develop on the thin lining of the spinal cord (dura).

Extradural Tumors:
Extradural tumours are the most common, primarily due to metastatic disease. This type of tumour usually develops on the vertebrae.

Causes of Spinal Tumors

The exact cause of spinal tumours is still not fully known, however, it is related to a combination of factors including, genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Below are the main causes:

Primary Spinal Tumor:

The exact cause of primary spinal tumours are still idiopathic. However, the factors are associated with,
Genetic mutation: Tumors can sometimes run in families.
Immune system disorder: Weakened immune system may fail to suppress abnormal growths.
Radiation exposure: Radiation therapies or exposure to radiation trigger tumour formation.

Secondary Spinal Tumor:
Secondary spinal tumours occur due to metastatic disease. These tumours develop when cancer cells break away from the main tumour and spread through the bloodstream to the spine. The common primary cancer sources include,
- Breast Cancer
- Lung Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
- Kidney Cancer
- Thyroid Cancer

Risk Factors of Spinal Tumors

Symptoms of Spinal Tumors

The symptoms of spinal tumours are affected by various factors including, the location, size, and type of tumour. Small tumors typically do not show any symptoms but as they get bigger they start to press against and irritate other tissues. The following are some typical signs of spinal tumors.

Pain
Back pain is a common sign of a spinal tumour. The discomfort may begin mildly and then progressively worsen. Conservative treatment methods may not be effective for back pain caused by tumours.

Numbness
Numbness or loss of sensation in the back, legs, arms, or chest is a clear sign of a spinal tumour.

Weakness
A spinal tumour can cause weakness in the muscles, it depends upon the location of the tumour, especially felt around the legs, arms, or chest.

Paralysis
A growing spinal tumour may compress the passing by nerves disrupting the nerve signal to the muscle, making it unable to make movements.

Stiffness & Difficulty Walking
Tumours may lead to stiffness in the back and lead to difficulty making movement.

Other symptoms include stiffness in the back or neck, scoliosis, loss of bladder control, etc.

Diagnosis of Spinal Tumors

Primary spinal tumours are asymptomatic and are usually found incidentally during imaging tests for other reasons. A Spinal Tumor doctor can diagnose spinal tumours by performing a physical examination and asking about the symptoms, and medical history. The specialist may check for:

- Muscle weakness

- Sensitivity to pain

- Abnormal reflexes

Additionally, certain tests can be used to diagnose the spinal tumour including,

MRI: Gives a detailed image of the bone, vertebrae, etc.
X-ray: Provides a basic view of the spinal structure.
CT Scan: Helps create 2D images of the spine & provides a detailed view of abnormalities.
Biopsy: To detect if the tumour is cancerous or non-cancerous.
Blood Test: Helps identify abnormal areas in the spine.
Bone Scan: To check for abnormal levels of substances in the blood.

Treatment Options for Spinal Tumors

Treatment of spinal tumours depends on a number of factors including, the type of tumour (benign or malignant), location, size, and the patient’s overall health.

Observation:
This is the preferred way of managing small benign tumours causing no or minimal symptoms. The goal is to monitor tumour growth.

Radiation Therapy:
This is the standard approach for malignant tumours, using rays to destroy tumour cells or shrink tumours.

Chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy drugs help kill or slow down the growth of cancer cells. Chemotherapy is the preferred way of treatment for aggressive malignant tumours.