Spinal Mets & Tumour surgery

Metastatic spinal tumors are masses of abnormal tissue that develop in the spine or in or near the spinal cord. These tumors are also called secondary spinal tumors or spinal metastases. Tumors that begin in the spine are called primary spinal tumors.

Spinal metastases form when cancer spreads to the spine from another area in the body (metastasizes). Cancer cells can reach the spine by extending from a nearby area or traveling through the bloodstream.

Tumors in the spine can cause pain. They can impair your nervous system function if they grow large enough to press on surrounding nerves and tissue.

What are the types of metastatic spinal tumors?

Doctors classify spinal metastases based on the section of the spine where they develop and where they form within the spine. The different regions of the spine are:

• Cervical: Neck area.
• Thoracic: Chest area.
• Lumbar: Lower back.
• Sacrum: Bottom of the spine.

The types of metastatic spinal tumors include:

• Extradural: A tumor that forms outside of the dura (thin membrane covering the spinal cord), often in the bones of the spine.
• Intradural-extramedullary: A tumor located within the dura, but not in the spinal cord itself. Some 40% of metastatic tumors are of this type.
• Intramedullary: A tumor that develops inside the spinal cord.

What are the symptoms of metastatic spinal tumors?

Some people with cancer that has spread to the spine have no symptoms. You may notice symptoms as a tumor grows and presses on nerves around your spinal cord, presses on the spinal cord itself or causes pain when cancer breaks down bone in your spinal column resulting in a fracture (bone break) and/or instability in your spine.

Signs and symptoms of a metastatic spinal tumor vary depending on the tumor’s location. They can include:

• Back or neck pain, often worse at night.
• Decreased ability to feel cold, heat and pain.
• Deformed spine.
• Difficulty with balance or walking.
• Bladder or bowel control problems.
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms, legs or chest.
• Paralysis.