Spinal Cord Tumor – Symptoms and Causes

Understanding Spinal Cord Tumors

Spinal cord tumors are growths that develop in or around the spinal cord. The spinal cord is the bundle of nerves running from the brain down through the protective spinal column.

These tumors can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

Spinal cord tumors are classified based on their location. Intramedullary tumors grow within the spinal cord itself. They include types such as gliomas, astrocytomas, and ependymomas.

Extramedullary tumors develop in the surrounding tissues, such as the protective covering called the dura or in the nerve roots extending from the spinal cord. Common extramedullary tumors include meningiomas, neurofibromas, schwannomas, and nerve sheath tumors.

Most spinal tumors occur in the upper back region, with fewer cases appearing in the neck or lower back areas. The symptoms of spinal cord tumors typically include:

• Pain in the neck or back near the tumor location
• Weakness or numbness in arms or legs
• Problems with bladder or bowel control
• Difficulty walking
• Decreased sensitivity to pain, heat, and cold

The impact of a spinal cord tumor depends on several factors:

Factor	Impact
Tumor location	Affects which body functions might be impaired
Tumor size	Larger tumors may cause more pressure and symptoms
Tumor type	Determines growth rate and treatment options
Whether it’s benign or malignant	Affects treatment approach and outlook

Treatment approaches vary based on the tumor type and location. Doctors typically use a combination of these treatments:

1. Surgery to remove as much of the tumor as safely possible
2. Radiation therapy to kill remaining tumor cells
3. Chemotherapy for certain tumor types

Early detection and treatment are important to prevent permanent nerve damage and preserve spinal cord function.

Main Kinds of Brain Tumors

Brain tumors come in several different types. Each type grows in specific areas of the brain and behaves differently.

Gliomas are the most common brain tumors. They form in the glial cells that support nerve cells.

Meningiomas develop in the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. They are usually slow-growing.

Astrocytomas form in star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes. They can range from slow to fast-growing.

Ependymomas develop in the cells lining the fluid pathways in the brain and spinal cord.

Schwannomas grow in the protective covering around nerve cells. They are typically benign.

Neurofibromas affect the nerve cells and are often associated with genetic conditions.

Chordomas are rare tumors that form at the base of the skull or along the spine.

Signs and Symptoms

Spinal cord tumors might not cause any signs at first. When they do appear, symptoms often start in the part of the spine where the tumor is growing.

As the tumor grows, it can affect nearby nerves and cause problems in other body areas.

Common symptoms in the spine include:

• Pain near where the tumor is located
• Pain that worsens at night
• Shooting pain that spreads from the back to other areas
• Pain that gets worse over time

When a spinal tumor grows large enough to affect nearby nerves, you might experience:

• Numbness or changed sensation in part of your body
• Problems controlling your bladder or bowels
• Weakness in a specific body area
• Walking difficulties that may cause falls

When You Should Seek Medical Help

Contact your doctor if you notice any symptoms that concern you.

Children with spinal cord tumors may show different signs, including:

• A newly developed curve in the spine
• Neck or back pain, often worse at night
• Changes in walking patterns with more trips and falls
• Loss of previously learned movement skills (a child who could walk might start crawling again)
• Muscle weakness

These symptoms don’t always mean you have a spinal tumor, but they should be checked by a healthcare professional.

Causes

Spinal cord tumors begin as abnormal cell growths either within the spinal cord itself or in surrounding tissues. These tumors develop when cells experience DNA alterations that change their normal functioning.

In healthy cells, DNA provides instructions for controlled growth, reproduction, and death. However, when DNA changes occur in tumor cells, these instructions become disrupted.

The altered cells multiply rapidly and don’t die when they should. This uncontrolled growth creates masses that can press against spinal nerves.

The spinal cord runs from the brain’s base downward through the protective backbone. This vital structure contains nerve cells that relay messages between the brain and body.

When tumors develop in this area, they can interfere with these important communication pathways.

Some DNA changes can transform normal cells into cancer cells. These cancer cells behave more aggressively, invading and destroying healthy tissue nearby.

Key factors in tumor development:

• DNA mutations that alter cell growth patterns
• Uncontrolled cell multiplication
• Failure of abnormal cells to die naturally
• Pressure on surrounding nerve tissue

For most spinal cord tumors, doctors haven’t identified specific causes. Research continues to investigate why these DNA changes occur in some people but not others.

Risk Factors

Some people have a higher chance of developing spinal cord tumors due to certain genetic conditions.

People with neurofibromatosis type 1 face an increased risk because this inherited condition causes skin color changes and tumors in nerve tissue. These tumors can develop throughout the nervous system, including the spinal cord.

Another genetic condition, neurofibromatosis type 2, often leads to multiple tumors in both the brain and spinal cord.

Von Hippel-Lindau disease also raises the risk of spinal cord tumors. This rare condition causes blood vessel tumors called hemangioblastomas that can form in the spinal cord, brain and retina.

People with this disease may also develop tumors in the kidneys or adrenal glands.

Currently, there are no known methods to prevent spinal cord tumors from developing.

Complications

Spinal cord tumors can put pressure on nerves, causing serious problems. People may lose movement or feeling in parts of their body below where the tumor is located. Common issues include:

• Weakness in the legs
• Walking difficulties
• Problems with bladder control
• Bowel function changes

These changes might be permanent. However, getting treatment for the tumor can help stop further loss of function. In some cases, patients regain some abilities after treatment.

Recovery varies from person to person. It depends on how severe the damage was before treatment began.