Spinal cancers are tumors that arise in the bones that make up the spine and spinal cord, or in nerves or other soft tissues. Tumors can originate in two ways. Primary tumors are tumors arising from cells that make up the structure of the spine and spinal cord. Metastatic tumors, on the other hand, are tumors that are formed by the spread of tumors developing in other parts of the body (breast, prostate, lung, etc.) to the spine. Metastatic tumors are mostly seen between the ages of 45-65 and in men.
What are the Symptoms of Spinal Cancers?
Spinal and spinal cord tumors show signs according to location.
Most common The most common complaint is back pain. The pain is more at night and usually does not go away with rest. If there is a tumor in the back and waist region, symptoms such as weakness, numbness, and inability to walk may occur only in the legs. Loss of strength in the form of clumsiness, weakness, and falling attacks are common in children. Another complaint in children is the curvature of the spine, which we call scoliosis.
How to Diagnose Spinal Cancers?
Anamnesis and physical examination performed by specialist physicians are the first step in diagnosing. Patients may have a previous history of cancer or under treatment. In the second stage, imaging methods such as direct radiography, CT and MRI, as well as scintigraphy or PET examinations can be performed to determine the diagnosis and the extent of the tumor. If the tumor is detected by imaging methods, biopsy is necessary to learn its type and source. Depending on the location of the tumor, biopsy can be performed under various imaging methods such as local anesthesia, CT or USG, or open biopsy can be performed under general anesthesia.
What is the Treatment in Spinal Cancers?
Surgical intervention according to tumor type and location methods such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy alone or can be used together. In some patients, a follow-up path can be chosen.
In this decision phase, spinal surgeons, radiology and oncology specialists mostly need to work together.
Benign and non-compressive tumors can be monitored and observed regularly.
In particular, it would be appropriate to surgically remove tumors that cause neurological symptoms or that have fractured or are at risk of forming.
Options such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy can also be used before or after surgical treatment, depending on the tumor type.
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