A spine tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue that develops in or around the spinal cord or the vertebrae (the bones of the spine). These tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) and may originate within the spine (primary tumors) or spread from other parts of the body (metastatic tumors).
Spinal tumors are classified based on their location:
Intramedullary Tumors β arise within the spinal cord (e.g., astrocytomas, ependymomas)
Intradural-Extramedullary Tumors β occur within the spinal canal but outside the spinal cord (e.g., meningiomas, schwannomas)
Extradural Tumors β found outside the spinal cord, usually affecting the vertebrae, and are often metastatic
Early detection of a spinal tumor is crucial. Common symptoms may include:
Persistent back or neck pain (not relieved by rest)
Weakness in arms or legs
Numbness or tingling sensation
Difficulty walking or maintaining balance
Loss of bowel or bladder control
Muscle spasms or twitching
Depending on the type, size, and location of the tumor, non-surgical management may be recommended:
Medications to reduce inflammation and nerve pain
Radiation therapy for certain tumors
Chemotherapy, in case of malignant growths
Regular monitoring for slow-growing benign tumors
When non-surgical options aren’t effective or the tumor compresses nerves or the spinal cord, surgery may be necessary. Dr. Abhinav Srivastava specializes in:
Microscopic spine tumor removal
Endoscopic spine surgery (minimally invasive)
Spinal decompression and stabilization
Tumor biopsy and complete excision