101 On Spine Tumors

Spine tumors affect about 10,000 people a year in the United States. These masses of tissue grow in the back and neck area, usually becoming very large and have a possibility of expanding beyond control. They can be either benign, which means they are non-cancerous, or they can be cancerous, which is also called malignant.

Unfortunately, it’s not known what causes spinal tumors. Still, there is a lot to learn about this medical issue.

Keep reading below to learn more about spine tumors.

WHAT TYPES OF SPINE TUMORS ARE THERE?

There are multiple types of tumors, all depending on the location of the tumor. The first major type of spine tumors depends on where the tumor is located on the back. Cervical spine tumors occur on the neck area, thoracic spine tumors occur in the middle back area, lumbar spine tumors happen in the lower back area, and sacrum spine tumors appear in the hip area.

The second major type of spine tumor divides the above forms into even more kinds, depending on where in the makeup of the spine the tumor is located.

Intradural-extramedullary tumors happen in the inside covering of the spinal cord, also called the dura. This means they are outside the actual spinal cord. Intramedullary tumors grow inside the spinal cord. Extradural grow outside both the thin covering and the spinal cord.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

Here are the most common symptoms of spine tumors:

Back pain
Difficulty walking
Bowel and bladder issues
Paralysis
Stiff back and neck
Tingling and other pain issues
Loss of sensitivity in the area
Spinal deformities like scoliosis

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT?

There are two major types of treatment options for those with spinal tumors. The first is non-surgical. This type of treatment includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and general observation to see if the tumor continues to grow and does require further treatment.

The second type is surgery, which means that your physician will have to remove the tumor completely from your body. What type of surgery you require will be determined by what kind of tumor you have.

If you have one, your physician will be able to help you develop a treatment plan that will get rid of the mass.

If you’re facing spine tumors and would like to know your treatment options, the experts at Alliance Spine and Pain Centers would be happy to discuss. Give us a call at 770-929-9033 or schedule an appointment.