Spinal Tumors Treated by Expert Spine Doctors in Baltimore

Spinal tumors are growths in the spine that can be either cancerous or non-cancerous. Cancerous tumors grow more rapidly than non-cancerous tumors. Many spinal tumors can be cured if diagnosed early and completely removed before they spread. Cancerous tumors that begin in the spine are less common than metastatic tumors that spread to the spine from other organs. Metastatic tumors commonly lodge in the spinal vertebrae. As these tumors grow, they erode bone, resulting in vertebral collapse and pain.

Symptoms of spinal tumors can include:

• Back pain
• Muscle weakness in arms and legs
• Difficulty walking or falling

Spinal tumors can be difficult to diagnose since many of the spinal tumor symptoms are similar to symptoms of other spine conditions. Spine specialists use imaging techniques such as MRI, CT scan and Myelogram to help view the spine and may perform a biopsy if a tumor is detected.

Metastatic tumors, or tumors that have spread from other organs to the spine, often are best treated with:

• A combination of radiation or chemotherapy to shrink the tumors
• Spinal surgery to straighten and stabilize the spine

Mercy surgeons have had excellent results in treating spinal tumors by using both spinal injury instrumentation and the same kyphoreduction instrumentation and methods used for kyphosis. These procedures straighten and stabilize the spine. Surgery typically:

• Eliminates most of the pain
• Restores patient mobility
• Protects the spinal cord from injury due to fractures from weakened vertebrae

When it is necessary to remove large portions of the spine, our surgeons have extensive experience in reconstructing one or more vertebrae with custom artificial spinal segments. Our spine surgeons work together with the cancer specialists at The Institute for Cancer Care at Mercy, rehabilitation specialists at The Center for Restorative Therapies at Mercy and numerous other specialists for management of cancerous conditions.