Spinal Cord Tumours

Disclaimer:
This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Content is sourced from third parties, and we do not guarantee accuracy or accept any liability for its use. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical guidance.

What is Spinal Cord Tumours?

Spinal cord tumors are abnormal growths within or near the spinal cord, classified as intramedullary (inside cord, 10-20%, e.g., astrocytoma, ependymoma), intradural-extramedullary (within dura, 40%, e.g., meningioma, schwannoma), or extradural (outside dura, 50%, often metastatic). Primary tumors are rare (1 per 100,000 annually in 2025), with metastases more common (20% of CNS metastases). They compress the cord, causing neurological deficits, with ependymomas common in adults, astrocytomas in children.

Symptoms

Symptoms include back/neck pain (radiating to limbs), weakness/paralysis below tumor level, sensory loss (numbness, tingling), bowel/bladder dysfunction (incontinence), sexual dysfunction, and gait instability. Intramedullary tumors cause symmetric symptoms; extramedullary asymmetric. Advanced cause scoliosis or complete paralysis. Symptoms progress over weeks-months.

Causes

Primary tumors arise from genetic mutations (e.g., NF2 in meningiomas/schwannomas), with risk from neurofibromatosis (types 1/2), von Hippel-Lindau, or radiation. Metastases from lung, breast, prostate. In 2025, genomic studies show IDH mutations in gliomas.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis uses MRI (gold standard for cord detail), CT for bony involvement, and myelography if MRI contraindicated. Biopsy during surgery confirms type/grade. CSF analysis detects markers. In 2025, AI MRI and NGS improve classification.

Treatment

Surgery (microsurgical resection) is primary for benign tumors (90% removal), with intraoperative monitoring to preserve function. Radiation (stereotactic) for residual/malignant, chemotherapy for high-grade (temozolomide for gliomas). Targeted therapies (bevacizumab for hemangioblastomas). In 2025, laser interstitial thermal therapy minimizes invasiveness.

Future Outlook

In 2025, survival varies: 90% for benign, 50% for malignant. Advances extend malignant to 5 years. By 2030, immunotherapy could achieve 70% survival.

Sources

The information for spinal cord tumors is sourced from Mayo Clinic’s “Spinal cord tumor – Symptoms and causes” for symptoms; Cleveland Clinic’s “Spinal Cord Tumors” for treatment; NCI’s “Spinal Cord Tumors Treatment” for diagnosis; Healthline’s “Spinal Cord Tumors: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment” for overview; and PMC’s “Advances in Spinal Cord Tumor Therapy” for future outlook.