A spinal tumor is an abnormal tissue growth within or around the spinal cord or spinal column. The tumor can be either benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). The exact origin of spinal tumors remains unclear. However, most growths are metastatic spinal tumors, meaning they have spread to the spine from a primary cancer elsewhere in the body.
At Summit Orthopedics, our surgeons can help investigate the cause of concerning symptoms and help people in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area determine the best path forward.
Identifying Spinal Tumors
Doctors classify spinal tumors based on their location relative to the spinal cord and its protective membranes (meninges). These can include:
- Intramedullary tumors. These grow within the spinal cord.
- Intradural-extramedullary tumors. These are located within the dura mater (outermost membrane) but outside the spinal cord.
- Extradural tumors. These occur outside the dura mater, often in the vertebrae or the space between the vertebrae and the dura.
Spinal tumors can also be categorized as primary, which means they started in the tissues of the spine or spinal cord, or secondary (metastatic), which means they spread to the spine from another part of the body
Possible Causes of Spinal Tumors
Primary spinal tumors are rare, and what exactly causes them isn’t fully clear. Medical research suggests they may develop from a mix of genes, environmental exposure, lifestyle habits and unknown factors. Possible causes of spinal tumors include:
- Environmental factors. Exposure to radiation or chemicals may increase cancer risk, although their direct role in most primary spinal tumors remains less clear.
- Genetic changes (mutations). DNA alterations can increase susceptibility to various tumors, including spinal ones, by disrupting normal cell growth.
- Inherited diseases. Some rare genetic syndromes passed down through families are known to significantly elevate the risk of developing both benign tumors and malignant spinal tumors.
Spinal Tumor Symptoms
Spinal tumors cause different symptoms depending on the type of tumor, location, size and growth rate. Symptoms are often related to spinal cord compression and pressure on the spinal nerves. They can include:
- Back pain. Often the earliest and most common symptom, back pain may worsen at night and is not always relieved by standard pain management. It can also travel to other parts of your body.
- Bowel or bladder problems. If a tumor compresses nerves that control the bladder or bowels, you may develop incontinence, difficulty urinating or changes in bowel habits.
- Loss of feeling or sensitivity. Spinal tumors can disrupt the nerve signals needed to communicate throughout the central nervous system, leading to numbness or a decreased ability to feel sensations like touch, temperature and pain in various body parts.
- Weakness. Muscle weakness can affect various parts of the body and may cause difficulty walking, clumsiness or even paralysis. This often progresses as the tumor grows and puts more pressure on the spinal cord.
[H2] Diagnosing Spinal Tumors
Diagnosing spinal tumors can present challenges because symptoms are similar to other, more common conditions. Your provider will collect as much information as possible to help guide your treatment plan.
The diagnostic approach typically involves several key steps:
- Medical history. Your provider will gather a detailed account of your symptoms, onset, duration and relevant past medical conditions and family history.
- Physical and neurological examination. You will undergo a general physical exam followed by a neurological exam to assess muscle strength, reflexes, sensation and coordination, which help identify neurological issues.
- Diagnostic imaging. Providers often prefer MRI, as it provides detailed images of soft tissues (spinal cord, nerves, tumors) that reveal size, location and surrounding structures.
- Needle biopsy. Your surgeon might use a needle guided by imaging technology to extract a tissue sample.
- Surgical biopsy. A needle biopsy may not be enough to help your provider determine your tumor type and other details about your tumor.
Finding Care for Spinal Tumors
Summit Orthopedics’ spine surgeons can help you navigate concerning symptoms and determine the next steps if a spinal tumor is suspected.
Summit Orthopedics has nearly 30 convenient locations across the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area, serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Our state-of-the-art, comprehensive orthopedic centers offer same-day appointments from a team of experts who offer the full scope of orthopedic care.
Find your Summit Orthopedics spine expert, request an appointment or call us at (651) 968-5201 to schedule a consultation.
