Next, patients may experience clumsiness, not knowing where their feet are, and difficulty with buttons or keys. As the disease progresses, spinal cancer symptoms may grow to include weakness, inability to move the legs and, eventually, paralysis.
Make a difference in the fight against cancer by donating to cancer research. Call us anytime. This page was updated on September 21, Less than 10 percent of spinal tumors actually start in the spine, according to the Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
When cancers start to spread, this may indicate a poorer prognosis. Lower back pain has many causes, and a rare one is cancer. Many of the conditions that cause pain in your testicles may also cause pain in your back. In this article, we'll give you details on a variety of…. Back pain is something most people will experience in their lifetime. Often, pain develops in the early stages of the disease. Back support belts are used to reduce the risk of back injury and relieve pain in the short term.
See why our top picks are highly rated and provide…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Types of back pain that could mean cancer. Types of cancer that may cause back pain. Accessed Oct. Brain and spinal tumors: Hope through research.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Goldman L, et al. Tumors of the central nervous system. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine.
Philadelphia, Pa. Spinal cord compression. Merck Manual Professional Version. Brunicardi FC, et al. In: Schwartz's Principles of Surgery. New York, N. Primary malignant bone tumors. Detailed guide: Brain and spinal cord tumors in adults. American Cancer Society. Welch WC, et al. Spinal cord tumors. Clarke MJ expert opinion. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Schiff D, et al. Treatment and prognosis of neoplastic epidural spinal cord compression, including cauda equine syndrome.
Saag KG, et al. Major side effects of systemic glucocorticoids. Spinal cord lymphomas, which are cancers that affect lymphocytes a type of immune cell , are more common in people with compromised immune systems.
There appears to be a higher incidence of spinal tumors in particular families, so there is most likely a genetic component. In a small number of cases, primary tumors may result from presence of these two genetic diseases:. Neurofibromatosis 2 : In this hereditary genetic disorder, benign tumors may develop in the arachnoid layer of the spinal cord or in the supporting glial cells.
However, the more common tumors associated with this disorder affect the nerves related to hearing and can inevitably lead to loss of hearing in one or both ears. Von Hippel-Lindau disease : This rare, multi-system disorder is associated with benign blood vessel tumors hemangioblastomas in the brain, retina and spinal cord, and with other types of tumors in the kidneys or adrenal glands. Non-mechanical back pain , especially in the middle or lower back, is the most frequent symptom of both benign and malignant spinal tumors.
This back pain is not specifically attributed to injury, stress or physical activity. However, the pain may increase with activity and can be worse at night when lying down. Pain may spread beyond the back to the hips, legs, feet or arms and may worsen over time — even when treated by conservative, nonsurgical methods that can often help alleviate back pain attributed to mechanical causes.
Depending on the location and type of tumor, other signs and symptoms can develop, especially as a tumor grows and compresses on the spinal cord, the nerve roots, blood vessels or bones of the spine. A thorough medical examination with emphasis on back pain and neurological deficits is the first step to diagnosing a spinal tumor.
Radiological tests are required for an accurate and positive diagnosis. Radiology studies noted above provide imaging findings that suggest the most likely tumor type. In some cases, however, a biopsy may be needed if diagnosis is unclear or if concern for malignancy vs benign tumor type. If the tumor is malignant, a biopsy also helps determine the cancer's type, which subsequently determines treatment options.
Staging classifies neoplasms abnormal tissue according to the extent of the tumor, assessing bony, soft tissue and spinal canal involvement. A doctor may order a whole body scan utilizing nuclear technology, as well as a CT scan of the lungs and abdomen for staging purposes. To confirm diagnosis, a doctor compares laboratory test results and findings from the aforementioned scans to the patient's symptoms.
Treatment decision-making is often multidisciplinary, incorporating the expertise of spinal surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and other medical specialists. Nonsurgical treatment options include observation, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Tumors that are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and do not appear to be changing or progressing may be observed and monitored with regular MRIs. Some tumors respond well to chemotherapy and others to radiation therapy. However, there are specific types of metastatic tumors that are inherently radioresistant i.
Indications for surgery vary depending on the type of tumor.
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