SPINE and SPINAL CORD TUMORS
SPINE TUMORS
There are two types of spine tumors. One of them is the tumor of the spine and the other is metastatic tumors which emerge from another part of the body and then spreads to spine and spinal cord.
Tumors of the spine can be separated into two groups; benign or malignant. Benign tumors can be completely surgically removed according to the condition of the patient and tumor itself when diagnosed.
The other tumors that we see in the spine and spinal cord are the metastasis, which emerges primarily in another system or organ and jumps to the spine and spinal cord. In fact, the most common spinal tumors are metastases. 90% of all the tumors appearing in the spine are metastatic tumors. It is frequently seen in lung, breast and prostate cancers. 80% of all metastasis of the cancers occur to the spine and most commonly seen in the dorsal spine. Therefore there are many patients who come with back pain when the primary cancer focus is not yet clear, and it appears that there is a metastatic tumor in the spine.
The first symptom is back pain, especially at night should be considered as back pain. Then, numbness of the arms and legs, tingling, loss of strength, incontinence gradually may occur. The patient is diagnosed by radiological examinations.
The spinal tumors can be fully or partially resected depends on the patient’s clinical status. It may be used spinal fusion techniques for stabilizing the spine if needed. On the other hand minimal invasive techniques (percutaneous approaches) can be used. These techniques are used to decrease the size of the tumor with coagulating the tumor or expose it to extreme temperatures (-70 ̊C) , or even filling the vertebral body with bony cement. Other treatment options are radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
SPINAL CORD TUMORS
They are usually tumors of the spinal cord itself. They can be benign or malignant. Metastatic tumors of the spinal cord are extremely rare. Pain in spinal cord tumors is very rare. This is important. Because pain is one of the most important symptoms for a patient to apply a hospital. Spinal cord tumors may have several symptoms like numbness, tingling, loss of strength in the arms and legs, and urinary incontinence. The primary treatment is surgery. The tumor should be resected with micro-surgical methods. Then radiotherapy can be considered according to the pathological results.
Spinal cord tumors can be completely or partially removed according to the patient’s condition. If necessary, the instrument is used to support the spine. In addition, minimally invasive methods can be used in surgery. These can be by burning or freezing the tumor and filling it with bone cement. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are another pillars of treatment.