Spinal Cord Tumour

Back pain at night could indicate spinal tumour symptoms you shouldn't ignore. Night pain becomes worse and stands out as the most common warning sign when tumours develop in the spine.

Spinal cord tumours account for 15% of all central nervous system tumours. These masses of abnormal tissue grow within the spinal column or cord and can press against sensitive nerves. While less common than other cancers, these growths can have devastating effects. Secondary spinal tumours, which

spread from cancer elsewhere in the body, make up the majority of all spine tumours. Research shows that spine metastasis affects many cancer patients. The spinal column houses most spinal cancers, which usually don't reach the spinal cord. Early detection of spinal cord tumours is vital for diagnosis and treatment.

What is a Spinal Cord Tumour?

Spinal cord tumours emerge as abnormal masses that grow within or around the spine. 

Doctors classify these tumours by their location: 

• Extradural tumours: 
  • Develop outside the spinal cord's protective covering
  • The most common type accounts for 55%
• Intradural-extramedullary tumours:
  • Develop inside the covering but outside the spinal cord
  • Account for 40%
• Intramedullary tumours: 
  • Develop within the spinal cord itself
  • Represent just 5%

Types of Spinal Cord Tumour

Ependymomas and astrocytomas dominate the intramedullary tumour category. Adults typically develop ependymomas, whereas children more commonly face astrocytomas. Hemangioblastomas, meningiomas, schwannomas and neurofibromas represent other significant spinal cord tumour types.

Symptoms of Spinal Cord Tumour

Back pain remains the most telling sign, which often becomes worse at night. Other spinal cord tumour symptoms are:

• Numbness or tingling in limbs
• Muscle weakness that can lead to paralysis
• Bowel or bladder control issues (incontinence)
• Difficulty walking
• Muscle spasms

Causes of Spinal Cord Tumour

Some tumours start directly in the spine (primary), while others spread from cancers elsewhere in the body (secondary). Scientists haven't pinpointed the exact cause of primary tumours yet, but environmental factors and genetic predisposition might play a role.

Risk Factors

Risk factors include:

• People with genetic disorders like neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis, and von Hippel-Lindau disease face higher risks. 
• Radiation exposure
• Compromised immune systems
• Older age 

Complications of Spinal Cord Tumour

Spinal tumours can lead to permanent disability or death if left untreated. Surgery comes with its own set of risks including bleeding, infection, nerve damage, and spinal instability.

Diagnosis

Doctors need a detailed approach to detect spinal cord tumours. They start with a full neurological examination to get a complete picture of reflexes, muscle strength, and coordination. 

The diagnostic process may include several tests:

• MRI scanning shows detailed spine images and can identify spinal cord compression
• CT scans show the tumour's size, location and bone quality
• A biopsy helps doctors examine tissue samples to confirm tumour type and malignancy
• Nuclear medicine bone scan shows if cancer has spread to the bones

Treatments

Each patient's treatment plan depends on their tumour type, location and overall health. Spinal cord tumour treatment options are:

• Monitoring: Certain spinal cord tumours develop at a slow pace and might not show symptoms. When a tumour is small and not harming your health, a doctor could suggest regular check-ups and scans rather than beginning treatment.
• Surgical intervention: Surgery remains the best treatment option to remove the tumour completely. But in some cases complete removal is not possible. In such cases, after surgery doctors recommend adjuvant treatments like:
  • Radiation therapy uses powerful energy beams to eliminate remaining tumour cells after surgery. 
  • Faster growing tumours respond better to chemotherapy. 
  • Modern treatments like immunotherapy use the body's immune system to fight cancer cells.

When to See a Doctor

You should talk to a doctor right away if you:

• Have ongoing back pain
• Develop neurological symptoms
• Notice new or worse symptoms during treatment

Treatment outcomes improve substantially with early diagnosis and help prevent serious complications.

Conclusion

Spinal cord tumours affect hundreds of thousands each year, despite their seemingly rare occurrence. The most telling warning sign is back pain that gets worse during the night. This condition might be frightening, but knowing what to look for can save lives.

Each type of tumour needs its own treatment plan. Early detection significantly improves a patient's outcome. Your body will often signal something's wrong through numbness, weakness, difficulty walking, or bladder problems along with persistent back pain.

These warning signs deserve your attention. Modern medical treatments work better than ever. Swift action helps prevent serious complications and boosts your recovery chances. Your spine supports every movement you make, so it deserves careful attention.

FAQs

1. Is a spinal tumour common?

Spinal tumours are rare. Spinal cord tumours account for just a small percentage of all tumours in the central nervous system.

2. Is a spinal cord tumour curable?

Treatment works effectively for many spinal tumours. Many patients live beyond five years if detected on time. Your prognosis depends on age, tumour type, and overall health.

3. What are the first signs of a spinal tumour?

Back pain stands out as the most common early warning sign and gets worse at night. Other signs include:

• Movement problems 
• Changes in sensation 
• Bladder and bowel control issues 

4. Who gets spinal cord tumours?

Most cases appear during a person's sixties, with the forties and fifties being the next most common ages. The numbers show the lowest rates in children.

5. What is the recovery time for spinal tumour removal?

Recovery spans weeks to months depending on the surgery type. Patients can usually start light activities after 3-4 weeks. Complex cases might need 3-6 months or more for full rehabilitation.

Dr. Abhishek Songara

MBBS, M.S, M.Ch (Neurosurgery )
CARE CHL Hospitals, Indore

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