Spinal Tumors

A spinal tumor is an abnormal growth (mass) of cells within or surrounding your spinal cord. Spinal tumors can form anywhere in and along your spinal column, which includes your vertebrae, spinal cord and the tissues surrounding your spinal cord. Most spinal tumors result from cancer metastasis — cancer that has spread from another area of your body to your spine.

Types of spinal tumors

• Where the tumor’s located along your spine (cervical, thoracic, lumbar or sacrum).
• Where the tumor’s located within your spinal column (intradural-extramedullary, intramedullary or extradural).
• If the tumor began in your spine (primary spinal tumor) or is the result of metastasis from cancer in another area of your body (secondary spinal tumor).
• If the tumor is benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

Treatment of spinal tumors is very individualized and depends on the location, size and type of tumor. The goals of metastatic spinal tumor treatment include:

• Relieving your pain.
• Maintaining or improving the function of your spine and spinal nerves.
• Improving the quality and length of your life.
  The goal of primary spinal tumor treatment is to remove the tumor completely if it’s causing symptoms, when possible.