Spinal Tumor Diagnosis

Many spinal tumors are found when cancer from another part of the body spreads to the vertebrae in the spine. These are called metastatic tumors and are commonly associated with cancers such as breast or lung cancer. Primary spinal tumors, on the other hand, originate in the membrane covering the spinal cord (intradural-extramedullary tumors) or within the spinal cord tissue (intramedullary tumors).

Here are the most common:

Gliomas

Gliomas are tumors that arise from glial cells in the brain or spinal cord and range from slow-growing benign to fast-growing malignant ones.

• Astrocytoma. A tumor that forms from astrocytes, which support nerve cells, and can be benign or malignant.
• Ependymoma. A tumor that develops in the lining of the spinal fluid pathways and may be benign or malignant.
• Glioblastoma. A rare, aggressive malignant tumor of the spine that develops from spinal astrocytes and requires specialized treatment.

Meningeal Tumors

• Meningioma. A tumor that forms in the layers of tissue that surround the outer part of the brain and spinal cord and is more common with age and in women.

Nerve Sheath Tumors

• Neurofibroma. A benign tumor that grows on nerves in the spinal column and is often linked with genetic disorders.
• Schwannoma. A usually benign, slow-growing tumor that forms from the sheath around peripheral nerves and is most common in adults.

Bone and Vascular Tumors

• Chordoma. A rare, slow-growing tumor that usually forms at the base of the skull or along the spine or tailbone and often recurs after treatment.
• Hemangioblastoma. A typically benign, highly vascular tumor that can occur in the cerebellum or spinal cord.
• Osteosarcoma. A rare, aggressive type of primary bone cancer that can occur along the spine.
• Spinal hemangioma. A benign tumor that develops from abnormal blood vessels in the spine.

The signs and symptoms of a spinal tumor vary depending on where the tumor is located. In addition, the size of the tumor often plays a major role in the type and severity of symptoms present. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor immediately:

• Back pain or pain that spreads from the back toward the arms or legs. The pain may feel worse at night or get worse over time.
• Loss of balance or trouble walking.
• Weakness or numbness in the arms or legs.
• Difficulty controlling bowel or bladder function.
• Changes in being sensitive to heat, cold or pain.

Any of these symptoms could be early indicators of the presence of tumorous growth in the spinal column.

Every tumor is different and requires a tailored treatment plan. Winship’s spinal cancer team uses state-of-the-art diagnostic tests and methods for detecting spinal tumors.

Diagnostic tests for spinal cord tumors can be done in a variety of ways:

• Physical and neurologic exam: Your primary care physician or internist may assess your general health, sensation, reflexes and coordination. Deterioration in any of these areas may indicate underlying neurologic issues.
• Biopsy: a sample of tissue is taken for further examination and testing.
• Advanced imaging: There are multiple imaging modalities used at Winship to detect a spinal tumor:
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) produces advanced images of the body’s soft tissues, it is a common diagnostic test for spinal tumors.
  • Computed tomography (CT) scans are used to create cross-sectional images of the spine using X-ray and computer technology. A CT scan stitches together numerous images of the inside of the body to create a detailed 3D image. CT is an effective diagnostic testing modality for spinal tumors because they provide physicians with visual access to hard-to-reach structures around the spine. Many spinal tumors can be identified through CT.

These modalities produce the most advanced, high-quality scans available so that even the smallest of masses can be detected in the spinal cord. Using these diagnostic methods, we offer patients timely and accurate diagnoses to help their team plan the best possible treatment protocol.