Spine Tumors Can Indeed Be Spine Chilling

Spine tumors are abnormal growths that can form anywhere in and along your spinal column, including your vertebrae, spinal cord, and the tissues surrounding your spinal cord. However, not all spine tumors are cancerous.

Englewood spine tumors specialists have extensive expertise in several complex surgical procedures. They help ensure a successful outcome and offer patient-focused support before, during, and after treatment.

Understanding spine tumors

Spine tumors are unusual growths of cells within or surrounding your spinal cord or column. Your spine is a long, flexible column of bones that protects your spinal cord.

Spinal tumors can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). These growths can either originate in the spine (primary tumor) or may spread (metastasis) from another area (secondary tumor).

Cancers that metastasize to the spine include:

Types of spine tumors

There are several types of spinal tumors, some of which include:

Symptoms associated with spine tumors

Back pain is the most common symptom of benign and malignant spinal tumors.

Other symptoms include:

Diagnostic criteria for spine tumors

In addition to physical and neurological exams, your doctor may advise the following tests:

Spinal tumor treatment

Treatment for spinal tumors depends on the type, location, and metastasis.

Treatment for primary tumors

Surgical removal of the tumor: Through complete en bloc resection

Treatment for secondary tumors

• Chemotherapy: Using drugs to destroy the cancer cells
• Radiation therapy: High-energy radiations (X-rays) are targeted to destroy cancer cells
• Stereotactic radiosurgery: Delivers precise radiation beams to kill cancer cells
• Surgery: Chemotherapy and radiation therapy-resistant tumors are surgically removed, followed by reconstruction
• Periodic monitoring: Helpful for slow-growing tumors without any debilitating symptoms

Summary

Learning that you have a spine tumor can be scary and distressing. However, knowing the signs and symptoms can help you approach a healthcare professional for further evaluation. This facilitates the doctor to design a customized treatment plan to improve your quality of life.

Regular cancer screenings are essential to detect tumors at an early stage. Early diagnosis can pave the way for prompt and successful treatment.