Spinal Tumor Screening

Early detection is proving effective in lengthening prognoses and improving quality of life for those afflicted by spinal tumors.

Currently, there are no standardized screening methods to detect a spinal tumor before a person develops symptoms. That’s why Winship’s team of highly trained neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, medical neuro-oncologists, neuropathologists, neuroradiologists and research scientists are doing everything they can to develop treatment methods and therapies that will help fight the tumor and keep it from recurring

While pre-screening capabilities are still being developed for people with spinal tumors, there are advanced methods that can help in spinal tumor detection as soon as symptoms arise.

Any of the following symptoms may be early signs of a spinal tumor:

• 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.

Detection typically begins with a physical and neurologic exam, followed by imaging tests and, if necessary, a biopsy.

• Physical and neurologic exam. This exam is used to assess your general health, sensation, reflexes and coordination. If there are any unusual signs or symptoms — for instance, back pain, trouble with balance and walking, or weakness or numbness in the arms or legs — it could indicate a neurologic issue that needs further evaluation.
• Biopsy. A sample of tissue is taken and examined under a microscope to see if any cancerous cells are present.
• Advanced imaging for spinal tumors. Winship uses multiple imaging modalities to detect a spinal tumor:
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Using powerful magnets and radio waves, this noninvasive method produces advanced images of the spinal cord and surrounding tissues.
  • Computed tomography (CT). Using X-ray and computer technology, a CT scan takes cross-sectional images of the spine to detect the presence of any abnormal mass. Using the above modalities, our spinal cancer team at Winship can make an accurate and swift diagnosis. Once this is done, a possible course of treatment can be put into place.

Although it is currently impossible to predict with certainty a person’s genetic or environmental predisposition for developing spinal tumors, there are individuals who are at higher risk of developing a spinal tumor. Anyone suffering from a particular type of rare genetic condition can benefit from close monitoring by a medical oncologist.

High-risk individuals include those who have:

• Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1): NF1 is a genetic condition affecting the nervous system outside of the brain and spinal cord. People with NF1 commonly have dark colored spots on the skin, freckles in the underarm and groin as well as benign (non-cancerous) growth along the nerves. These neurofibromas can increase over the course of a person’s life. Some can grow large or turn cancerous and will need surgery to remove them.
• Tuberous sclerosis: This genetic disorder causes benign tumors to grow in the brain, spinal cord and other organs. Tuberous sclerosis can cause neurological symptoms or impair fluid flow in the spinal cord.
• Von-Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL): This disease is an inherited disorder in which both benign and malignant (cancerous) tumors grow in different parts of the body. The types of tumors usually associated with VHL are hemangioblastomas, which are slow-growing tumors of the central nervous system.
• Li-Fraumeni syndrome is a rare, inherited genetic condition that increases the risk of several types of cancers including brain tumors, soft tissue sarcomas and bone cancers like osteosarcoma.

Learn more about spinal tumor detection and diagnosis.