Spinal tumor
Spinal tumors are
The cause of spinal tumors is unknown. Most extradural tumors are metastatic commonly from breast, prostate, lung, and kidney cancer.[4] There are many genetic factors associated with intradural tumors, most commonly neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1), neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2), and Von-Hippel Lindau (VHL) syndrome.[1] The most common type of intradural-extramedullary tumors are meningiomas and nerve-sheath tumors.[5] The most common type of intradural-intramedullary tumors are ependymomas and astrocytomas.[6] Diagnosis involves a complete medical evaluation followed by imaging with a CT or MRI. A biopsy may be obtained in certain cases to categorize the lesion if the diagnosis is uncertain.[1][4][5]
Treatment often involves some combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.[1][4][5] Observation with follow-up imaging may be an option for small, benign lesions.[4] Steroids may also be given before surgery in cases of significant cord compression.[1] Outcomes depend on a number of factors including whether the tumor is benign or malignant, primary or metastatic, and location of the tumor. Treatment is often palliative for the vast majority of metastatic tumors.[5]
Signs and symptoms
The symptoms of spinal tumors are often non-specific, resulting in a delay in diagnosis. Spinal nerve compression and weakening of the vertebral structure cause the symptoms. Pain is the most common symptom at presentation.[1][3][7] Other common symptoms of spinal cord compression include muscle weakness, sensory loss, numbness in hands and legs, and rapid onset paralysis. Bowel or bladder incontinence often occur in the later stages of the disease.[3] Children may present with spinal deformities such as scoliosis.[1][2] The diagnosis is challenging, primarily because symptoms often mimic more common and benign degenerative spinal diseases.[8][9]
Spinal cord compression is commonly found in patients with metastatic malignancy.
Causes
The cause of the majority of spinal tumors is currently not known. Primary spinal tumors are associated with a few genetic syndromes.[1][5] Neurofibromas are associated with neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1).[1] Meningiomas and schwannomas are associated with neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2).[1] Intramedullary hemangioblastomas can be seen in patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease.[5] Spinal cord lymphomas are commonly seen in patients with suppressed immune systems.[5] The majority of extradural tumors are due to metastasis, most commonly from breast, prostate, lung, and kidney cancer.[4]
Pathophysiology
The
Intradural tumors are located within the dura mater.[1] These are further broken down into intramedullary and extramedullary tumors. Intradural-intramedullary tumors are located within the spinal cord itself, with the most common being ependymomas, astrocytomas, and hemangioblastomas.[14][6][7] Intradural-extramedullary tumors are located within the dura but outside of the spinal cord parenchyma, with the most common being meningiomas and nerve sheath tumors (e.g. schwannomas, neurofibromas).[5][14][7] Extradural tumors are located outside the dura mater most commonly in the vertebral bodies from metastatic disease.[1]
Common primary cancers in metastatic spinal tumors includes breast, prostate, lung, and kidney cancer.
Diagnosis
Medical Examination
The diagnosis of spinal tumors is challenging, as the symptoms can be non-specific and often mimic more common and benign degenerative spinal diseases. A comprehensive medical examination is necessary to look for signs or symptoms that may point towards a more serious condition. This includes a complete neurological exam focusing on any motor or sensory deficits.[5] Patients with either benign degenerative spinal disease or spinal tumors often present with back pain. A patient with radiculopathy or myelopathy raises suspicion for a more serious condition.[15]
Imaging
Imaging is often the next step when the diagnosis is unclear or there is greater suspicion for a serious condition that may need immediate intervention. Common types of medical imaging include
Treatment
Treatment greatly varies depending on the type of spinal cord tumors, goals of care, and prognosis.
Surgery
Surgery has several indications depending on the type of tumor, which includes complete resection, decompression of the nerves, and stabilization.[4] An attempt at total gross resection for a possible cure is an option for patients with primary spinal cord tumors.[4] Extramedullary tumours are more amenable to resection than intramedullary tumours, and even possible to be operated through microendoscopic or pure endoscopic approaches.[17][7] In patients with metastatic tumors, treatment is palliative with the goal of improving the patient's quality of life.[5] In these cases, indications for surgery include pain, stabilization, and spinal cord decompression.[5]
Non-Surgical Treatment
Observation, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are possible options as an adjunct to surgery or for tumors not amenable to surgery. Intradural-extramedullary tumors are often benign, so observation with follow-up imaging is an option in cases where the lesions are small and the patient is asymptomatic.[4] Radiotherapy and chemotherapy may be administered alone or in conjunction with surgery. The choice of chemotherapy or radiotherapy is a multidisciplinary process and depends on the histological grade, type of tumor, and amount of surgical resection achieved.[4] In cases where radiotherapy is chosen, radiation is usually delivered to the involved segment in the spinal cord and the uninvolved segment above and below the involved segment.[9]
The combination of
References
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