Spinal cord Tumour
Spinalcord tumors are abnormal cells that grow in the spinal cord, a spinal tumor isa growth that develops within the vertebral canal or within the bones of thespine between its protective sheaths, or on the surface of the sheath thatcovers the spinal cord. The spinal cord contains bundles of nerve fibers thatare well protected inside the vertebra (backbone) which transmit messages fromthe brain throughout the body and viceversa, a tumor on or near the spinal cordcan disrupt communication, impair function, and cause serious health concerns.
Spinalcord tumors are of two types primary and secondary –
Primaryspinal cord tumors develop from the spinal cord rather than spreading fromother parts of the body. The primary spinal cord tumors are usuallynon-cancerous, and rarely cancerous and does not spread to other parts of thebody. Primary spinal cord tumors can affect people of all ages but are seencommonly in young and middle-aged adults.
Thesecondary cancerous tumors spread from cancer at another site of the body, mostcancerous spinal cord tumors are secondary. The secondary cancerous tumorsoften start as lung, prostate, or breast cancer.
Spinal cord tumors are classified depending on the regionwhere they occur- they are cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacrum.
Doctorsdivide spinal cord tumors into three major groups by their location within thespine based on their location relative to the protective membranes of thespinal cord.
•Extradural tumors - Extradural tumors grow either in the membrane surroundingthe spinal cord (the dura mater) or the nerve roots that reach out from thespinal cord. Most spinal cord tumors are extradural, these kind of tumors mayaffect spinal cord function by causing spinal cord compression. Extramedullarytumors that affect the spinal cord include meningiomas, neurofibromas,schwannomas, and nerve sheath tumors.
•Intradural-extramedullary - Intradural-extramedullary are tumors that growoutside the spinal cord but within the dura mater, these kinds of tumorsdevelop in the spinal cord's arachnoid space(meningiomas), the nerve roots thatreach out from the spinal cord(Schwannomas and neurofibromas), or at the spinalcord base(filum terminale ependymomas).
•Intramedullary tumors - Intramedullary tumors grow inside the spinal cord, itbegins in the cells within the spinal cord itself, like gliomas, astrocytomas,or ependymomas.
Tumorsfrom other parts of the body can spread to the vertebrae, the supporting structuresaround the spinal cord, and in rare cases, the spinal cord itself.
Symptoms
Spinaltumors or growths of any kind can cause pain, neurological problems, andsometimes paralysis. A spinal tumor could also be life-threatening and causepermanent disability .Spinal cord tumors generally grow slowly and over timethey can worsen and cause symptoms depending upon their location. Symptomsarise because the tumor presses on the spinal cord or the nerves that exit it.Tumors also may restrict the blood flow to the spinal cord. Common symptomsinclude:
•Pain - Back pain is typically the most prominent symptom, but pressure on thespinal cord can trigger pain that feels as if it is coming from various partsof the body. This pain is usually severe, is usually constant, and may have anaching or burning quality.
•Sensory changes - These can cause numbness, tingling, decreased sensitivity totemperature, or cold sensations.
•Motor problems - Tumors that hinder nerve communication can causemuscle-related symptoms, like progressive muscle weakness or loss of controlover the bowel or bladder.
Thesymptoms will vary depending on the tumor's location on the spinal cord,generally symptoms occur in parts of the body that are at the same level as orbelow the tumor. Once it develops, a spinal tumor usually will keep growinguntil it's treated. Without treatment, it can cause permanent paralysis,significant disability, and death.
Diagnosis
Ifone has any symptoms of spinal cord tumor the doctor makes a physical examinationand reviews the past medical record. The physical examination includes standardneurological examination which checks pupil reaction, eye reflexes, eyemovements, hearing, sensation, balance and coordination, strength, reflexes,etc. If the doctor suspects a spinal tumor, he or she may recommend x-rays ofthe spine and other diagnostic tests which may include
•Computerized tomography (CT) Scan. Computerized tomography can determine thelocation of the tumor on the spinal cord, and helps detect swelling, bleedingand other associated conditions. A dye is usually injected into a vein beforethe scan which helps show differences between tissues, which makes it easier tovisualize the tumor.
•Magnetic resonance imagining (MRI) scan. This technique gives an image of thespinal cord and provides better pictures of tumors near bone than computerizedtomography.
•Myelogram. This is a specialized X-ray technique during which a dye thatabsorbs X-rays is injected into the spinal cord. The dye outlines the spinalcord, but will not pass through the tumor, creating a picture with a dark ornarrowed area that indicates the tumor's location. Myelograms are done onlyoccasionally as MRI provides similar information without the necessity of aspinal injection.
•Spinal puncture. This procedure removes a sample of cerebrospinal fluid, whichis tested for abnormal cells which can suggest the presence of a spinal cordtumor.
•Biopsy. A sample of the tumor is removed and examined under a microscope toconfirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions, as it is difficult toobtain a biopsy without damaging the spinal cord and it is done with carefulplanning and imaging with MRI or CT scan.
Treatment
Treatmentfor a spinal tumor may include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or othermedications.
Surgeryis usually recommended for noncancerous and cancerous primary spinal cordtumors and is successful for tumors located outside the spinal cord. However,other tumors it is impossible to remove without significantly damaging thespinal cord. In those cases, radiotherapy could also be done to slow thetumor’s growth. Surgical removal of surrounding vertebrae also can help toalleviate pain and other symptoms by reducing pressure on the spinal nerves.Chemotherapy is recommended for certain kinds of tumors, usually after surgicalprocedures.
Forsecondary tumors, the treatment will depend on the kind of cancer that hasspread to the spinal cord. However, radiation is considered a primary treatmentfor secondary cancer that's compressing the spinal cord. With radiotherapy,care is taken to limit possible damage to surrounding normal spinal tissue,because such damage can still worsen and may be irreversible. The spinal cordis more sensitive to the consequences of radiation than braintissue, particularly the thoracic spinal cord segments in the area of the ribswhere about half all spinal cord tumors occur are very sensitive to radiation'seffects.
Withall kinds of spinal cord tumors corticosteroid drugs also are prescribed toreduce spinal cord swelling. Physiotherapy is also needed to assist theindividual to regain muscle control and strength after radiation or surgery.
Theprognosis will depend on where the tumor on the spinal cord is located, thekind of tumor, and also the size of the tumor at the time of diagnosis. Earlydiagnosis and treatment are essential to restoring function and preventingpermanent damage to the spinal cord.
Backpain or neck pain is a common problem and is rarely a symptom of the spinaltumor, but evaluation by a neurologist is essential if there's persistent painor pain in the back which is worsening, and if the pain keeps one awake in thenight. If one is experiencing numbness, tingling or weakness visit theneurologist at once especially if one has had cancer in the previously.
Ifone has chronic back or neck pain that hasn't responded to conventionaltreatments it may be time to seek out a spine surgeon. If one is searching forthe best neurosurgeon in Bangalore Dr. Venugopal S is one among the leadingneurosurgeons in Bangalore having experience over a decade of treating variousbrain and spine diseases.
Formore information about problems associated with the spine contact Dr. VenugopalS.
Or
Visitus www.neurosurgerybangalore.com
Callus on+91 9353884928
