Spinal Tumors

Tumors can be the cause of severe back pain and leg pain.

A tumor is an abnormal, excessive growth of cells and tissues in the body. In and of itself, a tumor may be harmless if the growth is slow (benign) and/or if there is little or no involvement of the surrounding anatomic structures. However, if the growth is uncontrolled (malignant) and there is involvement of the surrounding anatomic structures, the effects on the body can be harmful. When associated with involvement of the spine, tumors can often lead to symptoms including pain, weakness, numbness and tingling, or even paralysis.

What causes tumors?

Tumors occur when cells lose their ability to stop multiplying and tissues lose their ability to stop growing. Although the exact reasons why cells lose their ability to stop growing have not been clearly elucidated, we do know that it is likely related to a genetic trigger that causes the cells to grow uncontrollably.

If the growing tumor pushes against spinal nerves, patients can experience severe pain down their arms and/or legs. This is often called a radiculopathy. If the integrity of the spinal vertebrae is severely compromised, this can lead to a kyphotic posture (hunching forward) and/or instability of the spine.

Signs and symptoms

In addition to pain, pressure on nerves from tumors in the lower spine can also cause numbness, tingling, burning, and weakness in your legs.

The spinal cord ends around the first lumbar vertebra. Past this level, the spinal canal contains nerves that travel down the canal and exit at the appropriate level. This bundle of nerves below the end of the spinal cord within the spinal canal is called the cauda equina, which literally means “horse’s tail.” Severe compression on the cauda equina in the setting of a tumor can lead to a rare but emergent situation called cauda equina syndrome. Symptoms of this syndrome include:

  • Difficulty urinating
  • Difficulty having a bowel movement
  • Numbness and tingling in your inner thighs and groin

If you experience bowel or bladder problems and have progressively worsening weakness in your legs, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is first suspected after a thorough history and physical examination are taken. Constitutional symptoms include fevers, chills, and/or weight loss. If the tumor compresses any nerves, patients may complain of pain radiating from their back down to their legs, especially with any attempt to bend or twist their spine.

Patients may also commonly complain of numbness, tingling, and burning down their legs. They may also have muscle weakness. After a detailed examination, the diagnosis can be initially evaluated with plain X-rays and confirmed with an MRI or CT of the spine.

Treatment

Definitive treatment for patients with tumors depends on many factors and can only be determined in conjunction with a formal consultation with your physician.

In general, treatment can include either one, or a combination of the following modalities: radiation, chemotherapy and surgery. Patients with progressive neurologic deterioration, and tumors that render a spine unstable may require surgical intervention. Your surgeon can go over the advantages and disadvantages of each of these treatment options with you.

The physicians at Orthopedics International can address your spinal tumor using the most cutting-edge techniques. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, please contact us for a consultation so we can provide you with a timely evaluation and exceptional treatment.

ProOrtho Medical Specialties

Latest ProOrtho News

  • I need to work on my posture to prevent this pain

    Elevate Your Home Office Experience For Pain-Free Workdays

    Attention work-from-home and hybrid-work warriors! We get it—that relentless backache, the stiff neck, the sharp knee pain (where’d that come from?) and the overall feeling of being trapped in your own home office can be a real downer. But fear not, because here at ProOrtho we’ve got your back. Check out these simple tweaks to …

  • Osteoarthritis in Your 20s

    Osteoarthritis in Your 20s and 30s Is a Real Thing

    It’s time to break the age barrier on joint health, because osteoarthritis (OA) isn’t reserved for the golden years. And that’s not great news. In the dynamic realm of health, young adults can also find themselves face to face with OA, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies as the most common form …

  • Hikers Look At View of Snow Covered Pacific Northwest

    Enjoy Your Favorite Winter Sports Safely So You Can Always Come Back For More

    Here at ProOrtho, we know the happiest people during the slightly-less-than-fair-weather winter months of Western Washington tend to be those who: (a.) fly to warmer climates sometime before June, and/or  (b.) thoroughly enjoy winter snow sports. Sadly, we’re not here today to talk about tropically flavored poolside cocktails or the joys of beachcombing (maybe we …

Locations

Business Office

Surgery Center

MRI

Stay Connected

A Service of Proliance Surgeons


We’re a part of Proliance Surgeons, a team of independent, physician led care centers dedicated to providing exceptional outcomes, personally delivered.