What is a spine tumor?
The spine is the long, flexible collection of bones in your back that stabilizes and supports the rest of your body. Inside your spine is a long collection of nerve tissue called the spinal cord, which runs from the base of your skull down your back.
A tumor is a mass that results from rapid cell growth. When tumors develop along the spine, they can interfere with your mobility, flexibility, and range of motion. Tumors that affect the spinal cord may also cause several uncomfortable symptoms, including muscle weakness.
In most cases, the best course of action to eliminate the symptoms of a spine tumor is to remove it through surgery.
Are there different types of spine tumors?
There are many types of tumors categorized by their exact location along your spine. However, the two most common types of spine tumors are:
Primary spine tumor
A primary spine tumor occurs directly on the spinal column. Hemangiomas are the most common types of primary spine tumors. These growths are typically noncancerous and more common in younger people than older adults. Multiple myeloma and osteosarcomas, which are cancerous, are rarer.
Secondary spine tumor
According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, around 90% of spine tumors are metastatic, meaning they are secondary cancerous tumors that originated in another area of the body. While many cancers can spread to the spine, breast, lung, and prostate cancers are the most common.
What are the symptoms of a spine tumor?
How spinal tumors affect you depend on their location, severity, and size. Common symptoms of spine tumors include:
- Neck pain
- Upper back pain
- Mid back pain
- Lower back pain
- Shooting pain
- Dull ache
- Pain that worsens in the morning or at night
- Numbness or weakness in the arms or legs
Over time, spine tumors that compress the nerves in your spinal cord can impact function and mobility in your extremities, such as your arms or legs.
What are the treatments for a spine tumor?
Surgery is often necessary to remove a spine tumor. At Academy of Neurosurgical Physicians, the team performs the appropriate tests, including imaging tests, blood work, and urinalysis, to determine the appropriate type of surgery for you.
If possible, the team performs minimally invasive endoscopic surgery to remove spinal tumors. Endoscopic surgery involves inserting an endoscope — a long flexible tube with a video camera at the end — to perform procedures without creating large incisions. These minimally invasive procedures often result in less scarring, pain, and shorter recovery times than open surgery.
To learn more about spine tumors, call Academy of Neurosurgical Physicians or book an appointment online now.
