Different Types Of Spinal Cord Tumor And How To recognize Them | Dr. Pramod Chaurasia

 A spinal cord tumor is abnormal tissue growth within or around the spinal cord and/or spinal column. They are classified as benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

Continue reading this guide to learn about the different types of spinal cord tumors.

Benign Tumors

The following are examples of benign spinal cord tumors:

·        Spinal Hemangioma – This type of tumor develops from abnormal blood vessels. Approximately 0.9% to 1.2% of these tumors cause symptoms.

·        Osteoid osteoma – This type of bone tumor usually affects long bones. They are usually less than 1.5 centimetres (0.6 inches) in length and don't grow or spread.

·        Eosinophilic Granuloma – They are rare bone tumors that mostly affect kids. It can affect any bone, but the skull, jaw, long bones, spine, and ribs are the most common sites.

·        Spinal Osteoblastoma – It is a rare bone tumor that usually appears in your 20s or 30s. This type of tumor appears on the backside of your vertebrae.

·        Spinal osteochondroma – They are the most common benign bone tumor that most commonly occurs in your cervical spine, just below your skull.

·        Spinal Neurofibroma – It grows on your nerves and rarely causes symptoms. They typically develop in the roots of your sensory nerves.

·        Aneurysmal Bone Cysts – They are blood-filled tumors surrounded by a growing bone wall. They usually appear near the knee, pelvis, or spine.

·        Meningiomas – They generally develop in the layers of tissue surrounding your brain and spinal cord. It grows slowly and isn't cancerous.

Malignant Tumors

The majority of cancerous spinal tumors spread from other parts of the body. The following are examples of malignant spinal cord tumors:

·        Organ cancer metastases – This type of cancer spreads from another part of your body —approximately 97% of spinal column tumors spread from internal organs.

·        Chordoma – It is a rare form of bone cancer that can affect any part of the spine. It is mostly found near your tailbone and affects approximately one in a million people per year.

·        Ewing's sarcoma – They are one of the most common spinal cord tumors found in young people. It can occur in the soft tissue surrounding your bone or in the bone itself.

·        Osteosarcoma – They are the most common type of bone cancer that rarely occurs in the spine. It occurs near the end of a growing child's or adolescent's long bones.   

·        Multiple myeloma – It is a type of blood cancer that begins in white blood cells. Many of your bones may develop tumors due to this type of cancer.  

How To Recognize A Spinal Cord Tumor?

It is common for spinal tumors to be asymptomatic. Some of the most common symptoms include –

• Severe pain
• Muscle weakness, numbness, or tingling
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Trouble walking
• Sexual dysfunction

When To See A Doctor?

Spinal tumors can be benign or malignant. Benign tumors are not cancerous, but they can grow large enough to press other tissues and cause pain. So, if you are experiencing pain or other symptoms, you should consult Dr. Pramod Chaurasia.