Vertebral Tumor

Understanding Spinal Tumors in Adults

The spine is made up of many small bones stacked together, called vertebrae. These vertebrae support our bodies and protect the spinal cord, a vital part of the nervous system. Sometimes, abnormal growths called tumors can develop in these vertebrae. These growths are also called spinal tumors.

Tumors in the spine can be either cancerous or non-cancerous. Non-cancerous tumors are called benign. Cancerous tumors are called malignant.

Most malignant spinal tumors aren't actually starting in the spine. Instead, they're often a type of cancer that started somewhere else in the body and has spread, or metastasized, to the spine. This spread can happen from cancers affecting organs, or from cancers affecting the blood cells and bone marrow.

Less commonly, tumors can begin directly within the bones of the spine. These are called primary bone tumors.

Treating spinal tumors involves a combination of approaches. Surgery may be necessary, along with radiation therapy to target the tumor and reduce its size. Medicines, such as chemotherapy, may also be used, especially for cancerous tumors. The specific treatment plan depends on several factors. The type of tumor, whether it's cancerous, and its location within the spine all play a role in determining the best course of action. For example, small, slow-growing tumors might not require immediate treatment. Your healthcare team will create a personalized plan based on your specific situation.

Back pain can be a sign of a serious problem, like a tumor in the spine (vertebral tumor). Here are some possible symptoms:

• Pain in the back: This pain might be focused in the area of the tumor or spread (radiate) to nearby parts of your body. It might be especially noticeable at night.

• Changes in feeling: You might experience numbness, tingling (like pins and needles), or a loss of feeling in certain parts of your body.

• Loss of movement: You may lose the ability to move a part of your body.

• Loss of bladder or bowel control: This is a serious symptom that needs immediate attention.

• Muscle weakness: Weakness in your muscles, especially in your arms or legs, is another possible sign.

When to see a doctor:

Back pain is very common, and most cases aren't caused by a tumor. It's often hard to know if you need to see a doctor. However, schedule an appointment if:

• The pain is persistent and getting worse: If the pain is ongoing and increasing in severity, it's important to get checked.

• The pain isn't related to any specific activity: If the pain isn't triggered by a particular movement or action, it could be a more serious issue.

• The pain is worse at night: Pain that worsens at night can be a warning sign.

• You have a history of cancer and experience new back pain: If you've had cancer before and now have back pain, it's crucial to get checked out.

Urgent medical attention is needed if you experience back pain along with any of these symptoms:

• Muscle weakness in your arms or legs: This is a sign of a possible serious problem.

• Loss of bowel or bladder control: This is a medical emergency.

• Numbness or tingling in your genital area: This can indicate a pressing medical concern.

It's always best to talk to a doctor or other healthcare professional if you have any concerns about your health. They can help determine the cause of your symptoms and recommend the best course of action.

If you're experiencing any health concerns, it's important to see a doctor or other healthcare provider.

Some signs of a spinal tumor can be similar to other problems. For instance, back pain is very common, and most back pain isn't from a tumor. It can be tricky to know when back pain needs medical attention.

You should schedule an appointment if:

• Your back pain is persistent and getting worse: This means the pain doesn't go away and is becoming more intense.
• Your back pain isn't related to any specific activity: If the pain isn't linked to lifting something heavy or another action, it could be a sign of something more serious.
• Your back pain is worse at night: Pain that worsens when you're resting could indicate a problem.
• You have a history of cancer and now have new back pain: This is a critical reason to see a doctor. New pain in this situation needs immediate evaluation.

Seek immediate medical help if you have back pain along with any of these symptoms:

• Weakness in your arms or legs: This could mean that the tumor is affecting nerves that control movement.
• Trouble controlling your bowel or bladder: This is a serious sign that needs urgent attention.
• Numbness or tingling in your genital area: This is another serious symptom that could indicate nerve compression.

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Many tumors in the spine are caused by cancer that starts elsewhere in the body and travels there. This is called metastatic cancer. Any type of cancer can potentially spread to the spine, but some are more common culprits. For instance, cancer originating in the breasts, lungs, or prostate frequently spreads to the spine. Other cancers that often metastasize to the spine include kidney and thyroid cancers.

Tumors in the spine can also be caused by cancers that affect the blood cells and bone marrow. These include multiple myeloma and lymphoma.

Less frequently, tumors in the spine begin in the spine itself. The exact cause of these tumors is not fully understood.

Tumors originating in the spine happen when the DNA within the spine's bone cells changes. DNA acts like a set of instructions for the cells. Healthy cells follow instructions to grow and divide at a specific rate, and to die at a pre-determined time. In tumor cells, the altered DNA gives different instructions. These instructions tell the tumor cells to produce many more cells very quickly. Crucially, these abnormal cells can survive even when healthy cells would normally die. This overproduction of cells forms a tumor.

Sometimes, DNA changes transform cells into cancer cells. Cancer cells are able to invade and damage healthy tissue. They can also break off and spread to other parts of the body.

There are also non-cancerous tumors that can form in the spine. These non-cancerous tumors include:

• Hemangioma: A tumor involving blood vessels.
• Osteoid osteoma: A small bone tumor.
• Osteoblastoma: A larger bone tumor.
• Aneurysmal bone cyst: A fluid-filled space in the bone.
• Osteochondroma: A tumor containing bone and cartilage.
• Enchondroma: A tumor of the cartilage.
• Chondroblastoma: A tumor of cartilage-producing cells.

Some tumors that start in the spine and are cancerous include:

• Chondrosarcoma: A cancer of the cartilage.
• Ewing sarcoma: A cancer that affects bone and soft tissue.
• Osteosarcoma: A cancer of bone-forming cells.
• Chordoma: A cancer that forms in the bones of the spine and base of the skull.

People with cancer, or who have had cancer treatment, are more likely to develop tumors in their spine. This is because a common cause of spinal tumors is cancer that begins in another part of the body and then travels to the spine. When cancer spreads to the spine, it often originates from the breast, lung, or prostate. In simpler terms, existing cancer can sometimes spread to the bones of the spine.

Tumors in the spine can cause problems. One major issue is spinal instability. This happens when a tumor weakens the bones of the spine. Weakened bones are more likely to fracture or shift out of their normal position. This makes it difficult for the spine to support the body properly. This instability usually leads to pain and sometimes muscle weakness.

Medical treatments can often help prevent or correct these problems.

Diagnosing tumors in your spine (vertebral tumors) usually begins with a physical check-up and asking about your symptoms. Your doctor will want to know about any pain, stiffness, or other unusual sensations you're experiencing. They'll also ask about your overall health history, including any past illnesses, injuries, or surgeries. This helps them understand the bigger picture and how the symptoms might be connected. If you have a history of cancer or have received cancer treatment, be sure to tell your doctor. Many spinal tumors are actually spread from cancer that started elsewhere in your body, so this information is very important.

To pinpoint the tumor's location and size, doctors use imaging tests. These tests create pictures of your body's internal structures. Common imaging tests for spinal tumors include:

• X-rays: Simple images that show bones.
• MRIs (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Detailed images of soft tissues like the spinal cord and surrounding areas.
• CT scans (Computed Tomography): Detailed cross-sectional images that show detailed structures.
• PET scans (Positron Emission Tomography): These scans can help pinpoint areas of active cell growth, which can be helpful in identifying tumors.

To confirm the diagnosis and determine the type of tumor, a small tissue sample (biopsy) is often taken. For spinal tumors, this is usually done using a thin needle guided by imaging, like a CT scan. The needle is inserted through the skin and into the tumor, and a small sample of tumor cells is removed. This tissue sample is sent to a lab for analysis.

Lab tests on the biopsy sample help determine the type of tumor (is it cancerous or non-cancerous?) and provide more specific details about the tumor. This detailed information is crucial for creating a personalized treatment plan.

A biopsy for a spinal tumor requires careful planning. The healthcare team needs to consider how the biopsy procedure might affect any future surgery to remove the tumor. This is why it's important to ask for a referral to a healthcare team experienced in treating spinal tumors before the biopsy. Their expertise will ensure the biopsy is done in a way that minimizes complications and maximizes the chances of successful treatment.