Spinal Column Tumours

The spinal column or the spine consists of vertebrae from the base of the skull till the tail bone. These tumours can be cancerous (malignant), spreading to other parts of the body or noncancerous (benign).

Causes

• Idiopathic
• Genetic / Inherited
• Exposure to chemicals.
• Tumours from other parts of the body spreading to the spinal cord(Metastatic) – most common

Symptoms

• Back pain radiating to various parts of your body
• Loss of sensation in your arms and legs
• Weakness of muscles of arms or legs
• Gait changes
• Changes in bowel and bladder function

Diagnosis

• Contrast CT Scan or MRI of the Spine
• Confirmatory test – Histopathological examination/biopsy (examination of a small tissue extracted from the spinal cord)

Treatment options

• Surgery: Surgical excision of the tumour is required most of the time. It is a very highly specialised surgery requiring operative microscope and other gadgets. If there is spinal instability then, often there may be the need for spinal stabilisation with pedicle screws. Few of the times when total excision of the tumour is no possible, post-operative radiotherapy or chemotherapy may be required.
• Radiation therapy: Radiation is used to break down remnants of spinal tumours after surgery. Or sometimes if the tumour is inoperable, the radiation might be the only option left.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy drugs destroy the tumour cells. Chemotherapy can also be used in combination with radiation therapy.