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Spinal Tumor Prevention

While the exact cause of most spinal tumors remains unknown, it is important to consider certain risk factors associated with these types of tumors.

Preventing Spinal Tumors

There are several different types of tumors in the spine. They can be either benign, meaning non-cancerous, or malignant, meaning cancerous.

Spinal tumors or masses may also be located in different areas of the spine including the neck, middle of the back or lower back.

Most spinal tumors are not linked with any known risk factors and have no clear cause. This makes spinal cancer even more challenging and difficult for patients and their families as well as the physicians and health care professionals treating them. Still, there are some factors known to increase one’ risk of developing spinal tumors.

Risk Factors

  • Cancer in another area of the body. Most spinal tumors are metastatic. Cancers such as breast or lung cancer can spread to the spine. Regular cancer screenings, awareness of family history and timely treatment of cancers elsewhere in the body are important.
  • Radiation exposure. Exposure to radiation, especially from treatment for another condition, can increase risk.
  • Family history. While extremely rare, spinal tumors may run in families with certain genetic conditions, such as neurofibromatosis type 1, tuberous sclerosis, Von-Hippel-Lindau disease and Li-Fraumeni syndrome.
  • Age. Spinal tumors can affect children and adults alike, but primary spinal tumors are more common among people ages 40 to 65.

Signs and Symptoms

Any of the following signs and symptoms could be early indicators that tumorous growth in the spinal column is present: 

  • Back pain or pain that spreads from the back toward the arms or legs.  
  • Loss of balance or trouble walking. 
  • Weakness or numbness in the arms or legs. 
  • Difficulty with bowel or bladder control. 
  • Changes in sensitivity to heat, cold or pain. 

Researching Spinal Tumors Prevention

At Winship, our specialists in spinal cancers are working to determine what causes primary tumors in the spinal cord and central nervous system. While there are currently no known evidence-based prevention strategies for spinal tumors, there is clinical research underway.