Spinal cord tumors are classified by their location relative to the spinal cord and the dura mater (the outermost protective tissue layer of the spinal cord).  Those outside the dural layer are called extradural extramedullary tumors.  Those inside of the dural layer near the exterior of the cord are called intradural intramedullary.  Because of their location near the cord, intradural intramedullary tumors are considered inoperable for the most part.

What are some of the symptoms of a spinal cord tumor?

The symptoms of spinal cord tumors vary and depend on a number of factors, including location, rate of tumor growth, involvement of skeletal structures of the spinal column, and whether the tumor is creating pressure against or invading the spinal cord or adjacent nerves.  Symptoms can include numbness, tingling, pain, sensory and motor impairments, and changes in bowel and bladder function.  In children, spinal or vertebral column abnormalities, such as scoliosis, may be present as well.

Can other conditions mimic a spinal cord tumor?

Various other conditions can mimic tumors and vice versa.  Possibilities include cystic formations, cavernous malformation, and dural arteriovenous fistulas, multiple sclerosis and demyelinating polyradicular neuropathy, viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections, degenerative disorders of the nervous system, all of which can also be confused with the symptoms of a tumor.  Sometimes a tumor can be found incidentally on an MRI because the symptoms are actually caused by another process.  At other times the patient may come for symptoms consistent with a herniated disk and then is found to have a spinal cord tumor.  The most common spinal cord tumors in adults are pendimomas, relatively slow growing tumors that account for approximately 60% of intramedullary tumors and tend to occur in patients 40 to 60 years of age.  Approximately 40% occur in the lower spine.

What are the possible treatments for the various kinds of spinal cord tumors?

The surgical goal should be to remove the entire pendimoma through microsurgical instrumentation and technique.  If the tumor is growing rapidly or cannot be entirely removed, surgery is followed by radiotherapy.  Astrocytomas are the second most common type of intramedullary tumors in adults, and the most commonly occurring type in children.  Astrocytomas are typically found in the cervical and upper thoracic region of the spine.  Tumors with well defined borders may be removed surgically.  Invasive tumors and those associated with progressive neurologic deterioration are usually managed through a biopsy followed by radiation or stereotactic radiotherapy.