SPINE TUMOR / INFECTION
A Spinal Tumor / Infection is an abnormal mass of tissue within or surrounding the spinal cord and/or spinal column. These cells grow and multiply uncontrollably, seemingly unchecked by the mechanisms that control normal cells. Spinal tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Primary tumors originate in the spine or spinal cord, and metastatic or secondary tumors result from cancer spreading from another site to the spine.
Intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IMSCTs) refer to a subgroup of intradural spinal tumors that arise from cells within the spinal cord, as opposed to adjacent structures such as the nerve roots or meninges. They are much less common than brain tumors and are thought to account for 5-10% of all intrinsic tumors of the central nervous system. Their most common initial symptom is generalized back pain, which is very difficult to distinguish clinically from back pain from musculoskeletal conditions.
Most intramedullary spinal cord tumors are considered to be glial in origin because they are histologically and immunohistochemically similar to differentiated non-neuronal cell types, such as ependymal cells and astrocytes, which occur in nonpathological spinal cord tissue. Because of the slow-growing nature of many of these tumors, symptoms precede diagnosis by an average of 2 years. Patients with malignant or metastatic spinal cord tumors present in the range of several weeks to a few months after symptoms develop. The first-line treatment for intramedullary tumors is open surgical resection.
Surgery is indicated for all symptomatic lesions. Small asymptomatic lesions may be followed clinically and radiographically because the majority of intramedullary tumors are relatively benign and slow growing. However, this approach carries the risk of the development of neurologic deficits that are likely not recoverable and the uncertainty that comes with undetermined diagnosis.
For more information regarding intramedullary spinal cord tumor and treatment options, please consult our best neurosurgery doctor in Mumbai.
Most intramedullary spinal cord tumors are considered to be glial in origin because they are histologically and immunohistochemically similar to differentiated non-neuronal cell types, such as ependymal cells and astrocytes, which occur in nonpathological spinal cord tissue. Because of the slow-growing nature of many of these tumors, symptoms precede diagnosis by an average of 2 years. Patients with malignant or metastatic spinal cord tumors present in the range of several weeks to a few months after symptoms develop. The first-line treatment for intramedullary tumors is open surgical resection.
Surgery is indicated for all symptomatic lesions. Small asymptomatic lesions may be followed clinically and radiographically because the majority of intramedullary tumors are relatively benign and slow growing. However, this approach carries the risk of the development of neurologic deficits that are likely not recoverable and the uncertainty that comes with undetermined diagnosis.
For more information regarding intramedullary spinal cord tumor and treatment options, please consult our best neurosurgery doctor in Mumbai.
A spinal tumor is a growth that develops within your spinal canal or within the bones of your spine. A spinal cord tumor, also called an intradural tumor, is a spinal tumor that that begins within the spinal cord or the covering of the spinal cord (dura). A tumor that affects the bones of the spine (vertebrae) is called a vertebral tumor.
Spinal cord tumors may be classified as one of three different types depending on where they occur relative to the protective membranes of the spinal cord.
These are the main types of intradural tumors:
Intramedullary Tumors begin in the cells within the spinal cord itself, such as gliomas, astrocytomas or ependymomas.
Extramedullary Tumors grow in either the membrane surrounding the spinal cord or the nerve roots that reach out from the spinal cord. Although they don't begin within the spinal cord itself, these types of tumors may affect spinal cord function by causing spinal cord compression and other problems. Examples of extramedullary tumors that can affect the spinal cord include meningiomas, neurofibromas, schwannomas and nerve sheath tumors. Tumors from other parts of the body can spread (metastasize) to the vertebrae, the supporting network around the spinal cord or, in rare cases, the spinal cord itself.
Spinal tumors or growths of any kind can lead to pain, neurological problems and sometimes paralysis. A spinal tumor can be life-threatening and cause permanent disability. Treatment for a spinal tumor may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or other medications.
For more information regarding intramedullary spinal cord tumor and treatment options, please consult our best neurosurgery doctor in Mumbai.
Spinal cord tumors may be classified as one of three different types depending on where they occur relative to the protective membranes of the spinal cord.
These are the main types of intradural tumors:
Intramedullary Tumors begin in the cells within the spinal cord itself, such as gliomas, astrocytomas or ependymomas.
Extramedullary Tumors grow in either the membrane surrounding the spinal cord or the nerve roots that reach out from the spinal cord. Although they don't begin within the spinal cord itself, these types of tumors may affect spinal cord function by causing spinal cord compression and other problems. Examples of extramedullary tumors that can affect the spinal cord include meningiomas, neurofibromas, schwannomas and nerve sheath tumors. Tumors from other parts of the body can spread (metastasize) to the vertebrae, the supporting network around the spinal cord or, in rare cases, the spinal cord itself.
Spinal tumors or growths of any kind can lead to pain, neurological problems and sometimes paralysis. A spinal tumor can be life-threatening and cause permanent disability. Treatment for a spinal tumor may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or other medications.
For more information regarding intramedullary spinal cord tumor and treatment options, please consult our best neurosurgery doctor in Mumbai.
Metastatic spinal tumors form when cancer spreads from another area in the body to the spine. Spinal metastases can cause pain and impair the functioning of your nervous system. Some people have no symptoms. Treatment options depend on the location, size and type of metastatic spinal tumor.
For more information regarding spinal metastasis and treatment options, please consult our best neurosurgery doctor in Mulund, Mumbai.
For more information regarding spinal metastasis and treatment options, please consult our best neurosurgery doctor in Mulund, Mumbai.
Pott disease, also known as tuberculous spondylitis, is a classic presentation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB). It is associated with significant morbidity and can lead to severe functional impairment.
The diagnosis tends to be delayed because of nonspecific initial early manifestations and/or low degree of suspicion. The diagnostic approach needs to be based on chronic pain or deformity, epidemiological considerations, imaging, and adequate procedures to obtain samples for bacteriological, pathological, or molecular confirmation.
Treatment requires several months of medical therapy according to current recommendations and consideration for surgical procedures, when indicated.
For more information regarding TB spine and treatment options, please consult our best spine doctor in Mumbai.
The diagnosis tends to be delayed because of nonspecific initial early manifestations and/or low degree of suspicion. The diagnostic approach needs to be based on chronic pain or deformity, epidemiological considerations, imaging, and adequate procedures to obtain samples for bacteriological, pathological, or molecular confirmation.
Treatment requires several months of medical therapy according to current recommendations and consideration for surgical procedures, when indicated.
For more information regarding TB spine and treatment options, please consult our best spine doctor in Mumbai.