SPINAL TUMOR
A spinal tumor is a growth that develops within the spinal canal or within the bones of the spine. A spinal cord tumor, which is also called an intradural tumor, is a tumor that begins within the spinal cord or the covering of the spinal cord (dura).
If your child needs surgery or casting, our Fracture Care Clinic opens every day and you do not need an appointment. Surgery rooms get scheduled every morning, so your child receives the care and attention they need right away.
Spinal Tumor
A spinal tumor is a growth developing within the spinal canal or the spinal bones. A spinal cord tumor, aka intradural tumor, is a tumor that develops within the spinal cord or the cover of the spinal cord (dura). A tumor affecting the bones of the spine (vertebrae) is called a vertebral tumor. Depending on where they occur in relation to the protective membranes of the spinal cord, spinal cord tumors come in three different types.
Types of Spinal Cord Tumors
These are the main categories of spinal tumors:
- Intramedullary tumors – These develop in the cells in the spinal cord, such as astrocytomas, gliomas, or ependymomas.
- Extramedullary tumors – These grow in membranes around the spinal cord or the nerve roots connected to the spinal cord. Even though they don’t develop within the spinal cord, they may affect spinal cord functionality by generating spinal cord compression and other problems. Extramedullary tumors that can affect the spinal cord are schwannomas, meningiomas, neurofibromas, and nerve sheath tumors.
Tumors developing in other body parts can spread to the vertebrae, the surrounding network of the spinal cord, or the spinal cord itself. Spinal tumors can cause pain, neurological problems, paralysis, etc. Sometimes, it can also cause permanent disability and become life-threatening. Treating these tumors may include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgery, or other medications.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What type of spinal tumor does my child have, and what are the treatment options?
The specific type of spinal tumor and available treatment options depend on various factors, including the tumor’s location, size, and whether it is benign or malignant. Treatment may involve surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these approaches. The healthcare team will provide detailed information about the specific tumor, its characteristics, and the recommended treatment plan based on the individual case.
What are the potential side effects of the recommended treatments, and how can we manage them?
Treatment for spinal tumors, such as surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy, can have side effects. The nature and severity of side effects vary depending on the type of treatment. Common side effects may include pain, fatigue, nausea, and changes in mobility. The healthcare team will discuss potential side effects with the parents and outline strategies to manage and alleviate them. It’s crucial for parents to communicate any concerns or observed changes in their child’s well-being to the medical team promptly.
What is the long-term prognosis for my child, and what follow-up care is necessary?
The prognosis for a child with a spinal tumor depends on factors like the tumor type, stage, and how well it responds to treatment. The healthcare team will provide information on the expected outcomes based on the specific diagnosis. Regular follow-up appointments will be scheduled to monitor the child’s progress, address any potential recurrence or complications, and ensure the child’s overall well-being. It’s important for parents to adhere to the recommended follow-up schedule and communicate with the healthcare team about any concerns or changes in their child’s health.
It’s essential for parents to have open and ongoing communication with the medical team to fully understand the diagnosis, treatment plan, and what to expect during the child’s journey with a spinal tumor. Every case is unique, and the healthcare team will provide personalized information and support based on the child’s individual circumstances.
Schedule an appointment and see a pediatric orthopedist quickly at Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists.
Spinal Tumor Types
The common types are:
- Meningioma
- Neurofibroma
- Schwannoma
- Astrocytoma
- Chordoma
- Ependymoma
- Glioma
Symptoms
Spinal cord tumors show up with various signs and symptoms, especially with the growth of tumors. Tumors may impact nerve roots, spinal cord, bones, or blood vessels of the spine. Common signs and symptoms are:
- Pain at the site of the tumor
- Back pain, which often spreads to other body parts
- Less sensitivity to heat, cold, and pain
- Losing bowel or bladder function
- Problems with walking
- Back pain which is usually worsening at night
- Muscle weakness, loss of sensation, especially in the limbs
- Muscle weakness (mild or severe) in various parts of the body
A common early symptom of spinal tumors is back pain. Pain may also spread from the back to the legs, hips, feet, or arms. And the pain may get worse over time, even during treatment. Depending on the type of tumor, spinal tumors progress at different rates.
Causes
Why most these tumors develop is not clear. However, experts think that defective genes might play a crucial role here. However, it’s generally not clear whether or not such genetic flaws are inherited, or simply develop over time. They might be the result of exposure to certain chemicals or other environmental elements as well. However, spinal cord tumors are often associated with inherited syndromes, for example, neurofibromatosis 2, von Hippel-Lindau disease, etc.
Diagnosis
Doctors sometimes overlook spinal tumors because they’re not common or, sometimes, their symptoms are similar to those of common conditions. That is why it’s crucial that your doctor knows your child’s complete medical history. Also, they should perform general physical and neurological examinations. If your spine doctor suspects a spinal tumor, they usually perform these tests to confirm the diagnosis and find the exact location of the tumor.
Spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
It uses a high-power magnetic field with radio waves to get accurate images of the spine, nerves, spinal cord, and nerves. MRI is usually a suitable test to diagnose tumors developing in the spinal cord and surrounding tissues. During the test, doctors often inject a contrast agent into a vein in the hand or forearm that highlights certain structures and tissues.
Computerized Tomography (CT)
In this test, doctors use a narrow radiation beam to get detailed images of the spine. Sometimes, they combine it with an injected contrast dye. It makes it easy to figure out abnormal changes in the spinal canal or spinal cord. Specialists rarely use a CT scan to diagnose spinal tumors.
Biopsy
It helps to determine the exact type of tumor. In this process, doctors examine a small tissue sample under a microscope. The biopsy results determine the most suitable treatment options.
Treatment
Spinal tumor treatment aims to completely eliminate the tumor. However, achieving this goal may be challenging because of the involved risk of permanent damage to the spinal cord and surrounding nerves. Doctors also consider your child’s age and overall health while choosing a treatment. The other crucial factor that determines the type of treatment is the type of tumor, where it arises from (the spine or spinal canal), and whether it has spread to the spine from any other part of the body.
The most common treatment options for most spinal tumors are:
Monitoring
Often, when your child is being examined for another condition, doctors may discover spinal tumors even before they cause symptoms. Sometimes, there might be small tumors that aren’t growing or pressing the surrounding tissues. In that case, watching them carefully is necessary. At the time of observation, your spine doctor will likely recommend doing periodic CT or MRI scans to monitor the tumor regularly.
Surgery
Surgery is often the only solution for tumors especially when surgeons can remove them with little risk of damaging the spinal cord or nerve injury. The latest techniques and tools allow surgeons to reach tumors that were once thought to be inaccessible. Doctors use high-powered microscopes for microsurgery to easily distinguish tumors from healthy tissue. Also, during surgery, doctors can monitor the function of the spinal cord and other crucial nerves. It is how they minimize the chance of injuring them. Sometimes, they use high-frequency sound waves to break up tumors and thereafter, remove the fragments.
However, remember that even with the latest technological support, not all tumors can be totally removed. In that case, there might be radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or both after surgery. When it comes to recovery from spinal surgery, depending on the procedure, it may take weeks or sometimes longer. However, there might be temporary problems such as loss of sensation, bleeding, damage to nerve tissue, etc.
Radiation therapy
It helps remove all the remnants of tumors after surgery. Also, it is beneficial in treating inoperable tumors or those where surgery is too risky. Medications may help relieve the side effects of radiation. Sometimes, experts might adjust the radiation therapy regimen to make the treatment even more effective or help minimize the amount of healthy tissue damage. Modifications may include changing the dosage of radiation or using techniques such as 3-D conformal radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses medications to destroy cancer cells or prevent them from growing. Consult your doctor since they can determine whether chemotherapy will be beneficial or necessary for your child, either in combination with radiation therapy or alone. Side effects may include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, increased risk of infection, hair loss, etc.
Other Options
Since surgery and radiation therapy can cause inflammation inside the spinal cord, spine doctors sometimes prescribe corticosteroids. It helps reduce swelling both after surgery and during radiation treatments. Indeed, corticosteroids relieve inflammation. But, they are used for short periods to avoid serious side effects.
Final Words
If your child has any symptoms mentioned above or you are not sure what spine complications could mean, please call our office. For your convenience, we have offices in Arlington, Dallas, Flower Mound, Frisco, and McKinney, TX, and offer cutting-edge technology, comprehensive care, and dedicated facilities to ensure the best possible care for their patients. Call today to make an appointment for your child. We are expert Spine Doctors and we specialize in children. From diagnosis to treatment – we offer a complete solution to our patients.
____________________
Footnote:
Call 214-556-0590 to make an appointment.