Spinal Cord Tumors

Tumors affecting the spinal cord are rare. Not all spinal cord tumors are cancer, as the tumors can be benign or malignant. Benign tumors do not contain cancer cells and once removed, rarely grow back. However, benign tumors of the central nervous system can also cause serious health problems and may become malignant. Malignant tumors are cancerous. They grow rapidly and invade surrounding tissue and are usually life-threatening.

Symptoms of spinal cord tumors

Muscle spasms or seizures
Difficulty walking
Back or neck pain
Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs or both
Fatigue or lethargy
In some cases, incontinence (when the tumor is located in the lower part of the spinal cord)

Diagnosis of spinal cord tumors

Complete physical and neurological exam to test vision, hearing, muscle reflexes, coordination and sensation
MRI scan to get a complete image of the brain and spinal cord
CT scan of the brain and spinal cord in special cases
CSF test to get a sample of cerebro-spinal fluid and check for abnormal cells
Biopsy either through surgery or a needle biopsy to extract some tissue to be further examined

Treatment of spinal cord tumors at KHCC

The KHCC medical team uses the state-of-the-art technologies and procedures to target the tumors with maximum precision, without exposing the patient to neurological damage. Surgeons at KHCC operate on tumors with ultrasound and imaging neurosurgery navigation systems to get a clear image of the brain during surgery. In addition, radiation oncologists use stereotactic radiosurgery, a form of radiation therapy that can focus high-powered x-rays on very small areas without impacting nearby healthy tissues.