Spinal tumor

Alternative names:

tumor - spinal cord

Definition:

A clump of cells (mass) within or surrounding the spinal cord.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

A spinal tumor may be caused by the growth of abnormal cells. It could also be caused by rapid, uncontrolled division (proliferation) of normal cells of the area.

Spinal tumors are abnormal growths. They may occur in the spinal cord (intramedullary), within the meninges (membranes) covering the spinal cord (extramedullary, intradural), between the meninges and the bones of the spine (extradural) or may overlap in other locations. Most spinal tumors are extradural. They may be primary tumors originating in the spine, or secondary tumors that are the result of spread of cancer (metastasis) from other locations, primarily the lung, and from the breast, prostate, kidney, or other areas.

Any type of tumor may occur in the spine, including lymphoma, leukemic tumors, myelomas, and others. A small percentage of spinal tumors occur within the spinal cord, most often consisting of ependymomas and other gliomas. The cause of primary spinal tumors is unknown. Some primary spinal tumors are associated with congenital or hereditary tendencies. Spinal tumor is much less common than primary brain tumor.

The tumor affects the spinal-cord cells, nerve roots, meninges, blood vessels, or the bones of the spine. It causes symptoms because of compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots (similar to spinal cord trauma), invasion of normal cells by the tumor, or ischemia (lack of oxygen) that results from obstruction of blood vessels.