A man in his 40s experienced ongoing lower back pain for several weeks. He initially dismissed it as minor discomfort but sought medical attention when the pain worsened, disrupted his sleep, and caused leg numbness. After undergoing tests, he was diagnosed with a spinal tumor.
Dr. Jun Seok Hur, a neurosurgery professor at Korea University’s Anam Hospital, stressed the importance of early diagnosis for spinal tumors. He stated that prolonged pain in the back, neck, or shoulders, especially when accompanied by neurological symptoms like leg numbness, could indicate nerve compression and should not be ignored.
The spine is the body’s structural foundation and protects the spinal cord, a crucial component of the central nervous system. It comprises vertebrae and the spinal cord, which runs through them. Spinal tumors are categorized into two main types: vertebral tumors, which originate in the spinal bones, and spinal cord tumors, which develop in the spinal cord and its associated nerves.
Spinal tumors are classified by origin as primary tumors, metastatic tumors, or multiple tumors linked to genetic disorders. Metastatic tumors, which spread to the spine from other organs, are the most common, particularly from lung, breast, and prostate cancers.
Primary spinal tumors vary in type. Vertebral tumors include osteosarcomas and chordomas, while spinal cord tumors include astrocytomas and ependymomas. Meningiomas and schwannomas develop in the space between the spinal cord and dura mater. Treatment approaches depend on tumor type, but surgical removal is often a key factor in prognosis.
A primary symptom of spinal tumors is chronic pain in the back, neck, or shoulders. As tumors grow, they may compress nerves, leading to numbness or sensory deficits in the limbs. Early symptoms often resemble common muscle pain, leading to misdiagnosis. However, if pain persists for weeks or worsens with rest or minimal movement, a medical evaluation is necessary.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is essential for an accurate diagnosis. If a metastatic tumor is suspected, positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) may be used to identify the primary cancer site.
Treatment strategies vary based on tumor characteristics. For primary spinal tumors, complete surgical removal is the preferred approach. If full removal is not possible, radiation therapy may help reduce tumor size.
Metastatic spinal tumors are typically managed with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy to treat both the primary cancer and the spinal tumor. Surgery may be required if the tumor compresses nerves or compromises spinal stability.