Spinal Tumor

The spine is made up of 33 bones called vertebrae that run between the head and legs. The spine is both flexible and rigid. Structures that curve forward are called lordosis and those that curve backward are called kyphosis. The spine looks straight and upright when viewed from the opposite side and slightly S-shaped when viewed from the side. The spine consists of 7 cervical vertebrae, 12 thoracic vertebrae, 5 lumbar vertebrae, 5 sacral vertebrae, and 4 coccygeal vertebrae.

In all living things, the spine is the basic building block of the body.  It is responsible for the movement of the body. It also has functions such as maintaining muscles, protecting internal organs, and supporting the weight of the head and neck.

In humans, it is also responsible for maintaining an upright and healthy posture, protecting the spinal cord in the spinal canal from impact, and allowing movement. Damage to the spine can lead to many unhealthy conditions. The most important of these is a spinal tumor.

Causes of spinal tumors

Experts still do not have a clear explanation for the cause of spinal tumors, but some say it is genetic, while others say it is related to chemicals taken into the body. A spinal tumor is an abnormal lesion in the bones of the spine. Spinal tumors are divided into two groups: primary and secondary. Primary tumors arise from the bones of the spine and are usually benign.

There are rare malignant primary tumors, and both can damage the spinal cord and cause serious disability if they grow. Secondary tumors are malignant tumors that grow in other parts of the body and metastasize to the spine. These metastases are most commonly caused by prostate and breast cancer.

Types of spinal tumors

There are several types of spinal tumors, including astrocytoma, chordoma, ependymoma, glioma, and neurofibroma. Astrocytoma occurs in the glial cells of the spinal cord and is common in children. Chordoma occurs in bone and cartilage cells. It is the least common spinal cord tumor. Ependymoma occurs in the central nervous system and damages the brain. Glioma is a tumor that can grow suddenly, and the risk of death for people with this disease is very high.

Spinal tumor symptoms

The first symptoms of a spinal tumor are severe pain in the arms, legs, back, and neck. This is followed by muscle weakness, fatigue, and difficulty urinating. In patients with secondary tumors, the symptoms spread rapidly after they appear.

The pain caused by the disease becomes increasingly severe and can lead to numbness. This pain is caused by the tumor pressing on the nervous system. Each patient has a different level of pain due to different health conditions and the pressure of the tumor. In addition, the condition of some patients worsens and they may become unable to perform daily activities on their own or even become paralyzed.

The pressure of the tumor on the spine can also cause many other problems. First, the tumor’s pressure causes a deterioration in the stability of the spine. The bones of the spine cannot withstand this pressure and are damaged. Over time, the patient develops a noticeable postural disorder. The most prominent of these is hunchback. Hunchback is caused by a misalignment of the spine.

In order to detect a spinal tumor, a physical examination is first performed. At the doctor’s request, computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and some other tests are performed.

Spinal Tumor Treatment

Once a spinal tumor has been diagnosed, a decision must be made about treatment. As with any disease, early diagnosis plays a very important role in this decision. Surgeons and oncologists consider factors such as the patient’s health, whether the tumor is benign or malignant, the patient’s response to chemotherapy, and the spread of the tumor.

The most common treatment for spinal tumors is surgery. In developed countries, microsurgery is used to remove the tumor at the site of the tumor. This method has been successful in countries with high technology in health care. Radiotherapy or chemotherapy is a treatment method for tumors that cannot be completely removed, depending on the location of the tumor. Chemotherapy aims to cure cancer patients with drugs. Radiation therapy, on the other hand, aims to shrink and gradually destroy the tumor with radiation.

Whether the tumor is benign or malignant is also important in the treatment of spinal tumors. Some benign tumors are treated by excavating and removing the tumor. Bone cement is used to fill this area. For malignant tumors, the method is the same, but the tumor area is excavated more extensively. This is replaced with a metal cage filled with bone. For tumors that have metastasized, the tumor area may be filled with bone cement.

The healing process can vary from 3 to 10 days. The factors that determine the length of time can be listed as follows: Whether or not problems occur during surgery, the patient’s recovery time and speed, whether the tumor is benign or malignant, whether the patient needs chemotherapy or radiation after treatment, whether the patient receives physiotherapy… All these factors change the recovery time of patients with spinal tumors. In addition, patients have their stitches removed on the 15th day after surgery.

Spinal Tumor Surgery

While the patient is being prepped for surgery, necessary checks are performed and vascular access is opened. Once the patient is ready for surgery, the surgery begins. During surgery, necessary tests are performed to minimize damage to the spinal cord.

State-of-the-art technology is used to pinpoint the exact location of the tumor. Once located, the tumor is excavated and removed according to its characteristics. In some cases, tumors cannot be completely removed. In such cases, sound waves can be used to remove the remaining tumor fragments. In such cases, chemotherapy or radiation therapy is used after surgery for tumors that cannot be completely removed.

Tumors that have clear boundaries and have not spread elsewhere can usually be completely removed and do not require further treatment. Surgery for spinal tumors can take anywhere from 5 to 13 hours because it is a very sensitive and critical area. In some cases, more than one surgery may be needed.

There are rules that must be followed for a successful surgery. For example, using the latest technology helps to minimize damage to the patient’s spinal cord. At the same time, ensuring that the medical equipment in the operating room is compatible with the technology used increases the success of the surgery.

Neuromonitoring can also be used during surgery, if necessary. Neuromonitoring is a technique that is used during surgery. During surgery, this technique carefully measures neural communication in the spinal cord. With this measurement, potential damage to the patient’s spine and spinal cord can be predicted and precautions can be taken.

The number of neurosurgeons and spinal cord surgeons is very small due to the difficulty, experience and care required. Patients suffering from this disease must find a surgeon they trust and follow their surgeon’s advice every step of the way. If you have symptoms of a spinal tumor but no diagnosis has been made, patients should go to the hospital immediately for evaluation. Early diagnosis saves lives.