- Spinal tumor
DiseaseDisorder infobox
Name = Spinal Tumours
ICD10 = ICD10|C|72|0|c|69
ICD9 = ICD9|192.2 |
Caption =
DiseasesDB = 31483
ICDO =
OMIM =
MedlinePlus = 001403
eMedicineSubj = orthoped
eMedicineTopic = 49
eMedicine_mult = eMedicine2|med|2993, eMedicine2|radio|169
MeshName = Chordoma
MeshNumber = C04.557.465.220Spinal tumors are
neoplasm s located in thespinal cord . They are mostly metastases from primary cancers elsewhere (commonly breast, prostate andlung cancer ). Primary tumors may be benign (e.g.hemangioma ) or malignant in nature.Depending on their location, the spinal cord tumors can be:
* Extradural - outside thedura mater lining
* Intradural - part of the dura
* Intramedullary - inside thespinal cord The symptoms seen are due to spinal nerve compression and weakening of the vertebral structure.
Incontinence and decreased sensitivity in the "saddle area" (buttock s) are generally considered warning signs ofspinal cord compression by the tumor.Back pain in a patient with known malignancy may prompt abone scan to confirm or exclude spinal metastasis.Diagnosis
MRI andbone scan ning are used for diagnostic purposes. This assesses not only the location of the tumor(s) but also their relationship with thespinal cord and the risk of cord compression.Treatment
* Steroids may be administered if there is evidence of
spinal cord compression . These do not affect the tumoral mass itself, but tend to reduce the inflammatory reaction around it, and thus decrease the overall volume of the mass impinging on the spinal cord.
*Radiotherapy
*Surgery is sometimes possibleExternal links
* [http://www.cordfoundation.org Malia's Cord Foundation: An Organization Seeking a Cure for primary Spinal Cord Tumors]
* [http://www.spinalcordtumor.homestead.com/ Spinal Cord Tumor Association: Non-profit on line support group and research library for those suffering with spinal cord tumors]
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