Dr. Jayesh Pawar

Primary spinal tumor causes

Scientists aren't sure of the cause of most primary spinal tumors. Some of them may be caused by exposure to cancer-causing chemicals or substances. Spinal cord lymphomas (cancers that affect a type of immune cell) are more common in people with weakened immune systems. Spinal tumors can sometimes run in families, so scientists think there's likely a genetic component.

Secondary spinal tumor causes

By definition, secondary (metastatic) spinal tumors are caused by cancer that formed elsewhere in your body and spread (metastasized) to your spine.

Metastases most commonly develop when cancer cells break away from the main tumor and enter your bloodstream or lymphatic system. These systems carry fluids around your body, so they can carry cancer cells from one area of your body to another.

Since your spine has a significant blood supply and is near lymphatic and venous drainage systems, it's generally vulnerable to metastasis.

order several tests to confirm the presence of a spinal tumor, including:

• Imaging tests: Spine X-rays are the go-to imaging test for people with cancer who have sudden back pain. This is because metastatic spinal tumors commonly form in the bony part of your spinal column. Your healthcare provider may also order an MRI and/or CT scan to view your spinal cord, nerves and your surrounding spine (bony and soft tissue).
• Biopsy: Your doctor may order a biopsy, which involves taking a sample of tissue from the tumor to help determine if the tumor is benign or malignant. A pathologist studies the sample to learn if it's growing or spreading and if so, how quickly. If the tumor is malignant, a biopsy also helps figure out the cancer's type, which determines treatment options.
• Bone scan: During a bone scan, your healthcare provider injects a very small amount of a radioactive substance into your vein and then uses imaging to look at your bones. Tracking the movement of the radioactive material helps detect abnormal areas in your spine.
• tests: Your healthcare provider may order certain blood tests to look for abnormal levels of substances in your blood, such as calcium and alkaline phosphatase. Your body releases these substances into your bloodstream when bone tissue breaks down, which could happen from cancer.

type of tumor. The goals of metastatic spinal tumor treatment include:

• Relieving your pain.
• Maintaining or improving the function of your spine and spinal nerves.
• Improving the quality and length of your life.

Treatment options for spinal tumors vary depending on what type of tumor it is.

Treatment for metastatic (secondary) spinal tumors
Your healthcare team may use a combination of therapies to treat a metastatic spinal tumor, including:

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy drugs can destroy cancer cells in your spine and throughout your body. You may receive chemotherapy through an injection into a vein or by taking a pill.
• Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy involves high doses of X-rays that destroy tumor cells or shrink the tumor. Shrinking the tumor can make it small enough to reduce or eliminate pain or other symptoms.
• Stereotactic radiosurgery: This is a nonsurgical, noninvasive procedure that delivers precise narrow beams of radiation to a tumor while keeping radiation exposure to nearby tissue to a minimum.
• Surgery: In general, healthcare providers only consider surgery as an option for people with metastatic spinal tumors when they're expected to live three to four months or longer and the tumor is resistant to radiation or chemotherapy. Surgery can help relieve pain and other symptoms, preserve your neurologic function and stabilize your spine. Your surgeon may suggest traditional open surgery, or you might have a minimally- invasive procedure. Your surgeon may perform vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty - a procedure in which bone cement is injected into your spine after removing the tumor. These procedures provide support and stability to your spine, improve mobility and relieve pain. Up to 10% of people who have symptomatic spine metastases can be treated by surgery.
• Monitoring: Your healthcare team may closely monitor your cancer for signs of growth and spread with regular imaging tests.

Treatment for primary spinal tumors

If you have a benign primary tumor that's asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and doesn't appear to be changing or progressing, your healthcare provider may recommend monitoring it with regular MRIs.

Some primary spinal tumors can be surgically removed through complete en block resection (complete removal of the tumor) for a possible cure.