Spinal tumor
Alternative names:
tumor - spinal cord
Symptoms:
The symptoms vary depending on the location and type of the tumor and the general health of the person. Metastatic tumors often progress rapidly, while primary tumors are often slowly progressive over weeks to years. Intramedullary (within the spinal cord) tumors usually cause more generalized symptoms (they may cause symptoms over large portions of the body), while extramedullary tumors may causes neurologic losses in only a specific body location.
- back pain
- any area, middle or low back are most common
- worse when lying down
- worse with strain, cough, sneeze, etc.
- may radiate to the hip, leg, or feet (or arms)
- may be diffuse, occurring over all extremities (generalized)
- may remain localized in the spine
- progressively worsens
- abnormal sensations, loss of sensation
- particularly in the legs
- may be progressive
- muscle weakness (decreased muscle strength, independent of exercise)
- cold sensation of the legs, cool fingers or hands, or coolness of other areas
- inability to retain feces (fecal incontinence)
- unable to keep from leaking urine (urinary incontinence)
- muscle function loss
- muscle contractions
Signs and tests:
A neurologic examination may indicate the location of the tumor. Spastic weakness may be present, with increased muscle tone and abnormal reflexes. Pain and temperature sensation may be lost simultaneously with or independently of other sensation losses. There is often localized spine tenderness on examination of the back, which is more pronounced with epidural tumors.
These tests may confirm spinal tumor: A CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) examination may be normal, or abnormal but nonspecific. Cytology (cell studies) of CSF sometimes shows tumor cells.
This disease may also alter the results of an ADH test.
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