Vertebral Tumors

Vertebral tumors, also called extradural tumors, form between the vertebrae of the spine, and can be malignant or benign. Although a vertebral tumor can cause back pain, the cause of most back pain is by something other than a tumor. In general, you should consult a physician when back pain persists and increases in intensity, you can not link the pain to a particular activity, or gets worse at night. Anyone with a prior history of cancer who has sudden back pain should also be examined by a physician.

Types of Vertebral Tumors

Vertebral Tumors are typically classified as either malignant or benign. Within these classifications are different types of tumors.

Malignant Vertebral Tumors

Most malignant extradural spinal tumors originate in another part of the body before spreading to the spine; we call these secondary vertebral tumors. There are, however, some types that begin in the vertebrae; we refer to these to as primary vertebral tumors. Primary vertebral tumors include:

Ewing’s sarcoma

Ewing’s sarcoma is an aggressive tumor that usually affects 4- to 15-year-olds. It is the second-most-common bone cancer in children, but is relatively rare, accounting for only 1 percent of childhood cancers.

Multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the bone marrow that usually affects older adults. It constitutes 1 percent of all cancers.

Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is the most common bone cancer in children. The average age at which we diagnose is 15, and boys are more likely to develop it than girls.

Benign Vertebral Tumors

Although a vertebral tumor may be benign, it can still cause severe problems, including chronic pain, spinal curvature and neurological damage.

Hemangioma

We usually find vertebral hemangiomas in the lower region of the spine. Mainly asymptomatic, we often discover them only when a patient is treating another condition. They occur in approximately 10 percent of the population.

Osteoblastoma

Osteoblastomas, which usually affect young adults, are fast-growing tumors whose main symptom is pain. They are quite rare, accounting for less than 1 percent of primary bone tumors.

Osteoid osteomas

Smaller than osteoblastomas, osteoid osteomas occur most commonly in those between the ages of 4 and 25. They can be quite painful, particularly at night. Men are three times more likely than woman to be affected.

Vertebral Tumor Treatment Manhattan | New York City (NYC)

What Causes Vertebral Tumors?

The cause of most primary spinal tumors is unknown, although exposure to cancer-causing agents may play a part. And because spinal tumors, in general, tend to run in families, Dr. Federico Giradi usually suspects a genetic component.

Vertebral Tumors Symptoms

Some symptoms of vertebral tumors may include:

• Back pain
• Difficulty walking, sometimes resulting in falls
• Decreased sensitivity to pain, heat and cold
• Loss of bowel or bladder function
• Loss of sensation or muscle weakness, particularly in the legs
• Paralysis (from nerve compression)

Diagnosis of Vertebral Tumors

Primary vertebral tumors may be misdiagnosed, primarily because their symptoms are similar to those of more common degenerative spinal diseases. To diagnose spinal tumors in general, a neurological examination may be performed. Depending upon its results, the following tests may be performed:

• Cerebrospinal fluid examination
• Cytology (cell study) of cerebrospinal fluid
• X-ray of the Spine
• Spine CT scan
• Spine MRI scan
• Myelogram

Vertebral Tumor Treatment

Depending upon its specific location and size, treatment for a malignant vertebral tumor will vary. Common treatment options for malignant vertebral tumors and malignant spinal tumors in general include:

• Corticosteroids
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Surgery

For a benign vertebral tumor that is small and asymptomatic, a doctor may choose only to observe it over time. For fast-growing benign vertebral tumors, surgery may be performed as long as removing the tumor will not cause nerve damage.