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Spinal Tumours

What are spinal tumours?

Spinal tumours are abnormal growths within or surrounding the spinal cord and vertebrae. They may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) and can affect spinal stability and neurological function depending on their size and location.

Symptoms

Signs of spinal tumours often include:

  • Persistent back or neck pain that may worsen at night
  • Neurological symptoms such as numbness, weakness, or balance issues
  • Changes in bladder or bowel control
  • Unexplained weight loss or fatigue in some cases

Causes

Spinal tumours can be:

  • Primary spinal tumours originating in the spine or spinal cord
  • Metastatic tumours spreading from cancers elsewhere in the body
  • Tumours arising from surrounding tissues such as nerve roots or meninges

Diagnosis

Diagnosis relies on:

  • Detailed neurological examination
  • Imaging tests including MRI and CT scans for localisation and characterisation of the tumour
  • Biopsy may be required for definitive diagnosis in certain cases

Treatment and Surgical Management

Treatment varies according to tumour type and patient factors:

  • Surgical removal or decompression to relieve spinal cord or nerve pressure
  • Spinal stabilisation procedures if needed to maintain structural integrity
  • Adjuvant therapies including radiotherapy or chemotherapy as recommended by oncology teams