Spinal Cord Tumors

A spinal cord tumor is a growth that forms in or around the spinal cord. The spinal cord runs down from the base of the brain and is protected by the bones of the spine. It carries messages between the brain and the rest of the body, helping control movement, sensation and many other functions.

Spinal cord tumors can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Even benign tumors can cause problems if they press on the spinal cord or nearby nerves.

Types & Stages

Spinal cord tumors are often grouped by where they grow.

• Intramedullary tumors. These grow inside the spinal cord itself. Examples include:
  • Astrocytoma
  • Ependymoma
  • Glioma (a general term for tumors that start in the supportive cells of the nervous system)
     
• Extramedullary tumors. These grow in the tissues around the spinal cord or in the nerve roots that branch off it. Examples include:
  • Meningioma, which begins in the meninges, the protective layers that cover the brain and spinal cord
  • Schwannoma
  • Neurofibroma
  • Other nerve sheath tumors

Spinal cord tumors are not described with a single simple number. Instead, doctors look at:

• Whether the tumor is benign or malignant
• Where it is located
• How large it is
• How much pressure it is putting on the spinal cord or nerves

This helps your care team plan the best treatment.

Signs & Symptoms

Spinal cord tumors may cause no symptoms at first. As a tumor grows, it can press on nearby nerves and cause problems in other parts of the body.

Visit a doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms:

• Back or neck pain near the tumor
• Pain that is worse at night or shoots to other areas
• Numbness or changes in sensation, such as feeling less heat, cold or pain
• Weakness in part of the body
• Trouble walking or frequent falls
• Loss of bowel or bladder control

In children, symptoms can include a new curve in the spine, loss of mobility or worsening walking problems.

Many of these symptoms can be caused by conditions that are not a tumor. Still, if a symptom is new, lasting, or worries you, talk with a healthcare provider.

Diagnosis

Tests and procedures used to diagnose a spinal cord tumor may include:

• Physical and neurological exam. Your doctor reviews your symptoms and health history and checks your balance, coordination, strength and reflexes to see how your nerves are working.
   
• Spinal MRI. This is the main imaging test. It creates detailed pictures of the spinal cord to show the size and location of a tumor. A contrast dye may be used to make the images clearer.
   
• CT scan. In some cases, a CT scan may be used to provide more detail about the spine.
   
• Biopsy. A small sample of tissue may be removed and examined under a microscope when needed to identify the type of tumor. The results help guide treatment.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the type, size, and location of the tumor, your symptoms and your overall health.

Your care team can help explain the benefits and risks of each option.

Treatment may include:

• Watchful waiting. A small, slow-growing tumor that is not causing symptoms may simply be monitored over time with regular imaging.
   
• Surgery. This is often the main treatment. The goal is to remove as much of the tumor as safely possible while protecting nerve function.
   
• Radiation therapy. Radiation uses high-energy beams to kill tumor cells. It may be used after surgery to treat any tumor cells left behind, or when surgery is not possible.
   
• Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy uses strong medicines to treat cancer. It may be used for certain fast-growing tumors, often after surgery.

Clinical trials may also be an option. These studies test new treatments or new ways to use current ones.

Ask your care team whether a clinical trial may be right for you.

Causes & Risk Factors

The exact cause of most spinal cord tumors is not known. Some inherited conditions can raise the risk, including:

• Neurofibromatosis type 1. A genetic condition that can cause tumors to grow in nerve tissue throughout the body.
   
• Neurofibromatosis type 2. A genetic condition that can cause multiple tumors in the brain and spine.
   
• Von Hippel-Lindau disease. A rare condition that can cause blood vessel tumors in the spinal cord, brain and other organs.

Having a risk factor does not mean you will develop a spinal cord tumor, and many people with one have no clear risk factors. Talk with your healthcare provider about your personal risk.

Screening

There is no routine screening test or program for spinal cord tumors.

Because there is no screening test, it is important to pay attention to your body and report symptoms that do not go away, such as ongoing back or neck pain, weakness, numbness or trouble walking. Prompt evaluation can help find the cause early.

If you have symptoms that are new, lasting, or unusual for you, talk with a healthcare provider about whether further evaluation is needed.

This information is for general education only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis, treatment recommendations, and guidance based on your personal health history.