Spine Tumour

Overview of Spine Tumour in India

A spinal tumor is a growth (mass) of abnormal cells in or around your spinal cord or structure.  

Your spine (backbone) is the long, flexible column of bones that protects your spinal cord, which starts at the base of your skull, and ends in your tail bone, which is part of your pelvis.  

Your spinal cord is cylindrical and runs through the middle of your spine. The spinal cord runs from your brainstem (bottom of your brain) to your low back. The spinal cord contains nerve bundles and cells that send messages from your brain to the rest of your body and vice versa.

Spinal tumors exist in the following locations:

• Inside your spinal cord (intramedullary). 
• In the tissues (meninges) covering your spinal cord (intradural-extramedullary). 
• Between the meninges and the bones of your spine (extradural). 
• Within the bony vertebrae of your spine. 
• Spinal tumors can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). If a tumor is allowed to grow, it could cause damage to other structures in your spinal column. 

Tumors that first develop on your spine or spinal cord are called primary spinal tumors. Metastatic or secondary spinal tumors grow when cancer from a different area of your body spreads to your spine. Metastatic spinal tumors are far more common than primary spinal tumors.

Types of Spine Tumour:

Astrocytoma: This is a tumor of the supportive cells inside of your spinal cord. There are many types of astrocytoma tumors- some are benign and some are malignant. 

Chordoma: These are rare malignant tumors that form in your spine and skull. They often form in the base of your spine (sacrum) and your tailbone (coccyx). 

Ependymoma: This is a tumor that forms in the lining of the spinal fluid passageways in the brain and spinal cord.

Glioblastoma: This is an aggressive malignant tumor that forms from a cell called astrocytes, which supports nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain.

Hemangioblastoma: This is a tumor that forms from blood vessels connected to the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord).

Meningioma: This is a tumor of the tissue (meninges) that covers the spinal cord and brain. A meningioma is usually benign, but it can grow huge and can become life-threatening.

Neurofibroma: This is a benign tumor that is formed on nerves in the body which may include nerves in the spinal column. Neurofibromas usually occur in association with a genetic disorder.

Osteosarcoma: This is a type of bone cancer that can arise from the spine but is usually seen in the thigh and shin bones.

Schwannoma: This tumor forms from the cells surrounding the nerve fibers of the spinal cord, peripheral nervous system and cranial nerves. Although mostly benign, Schwannomas rarely become malignant.

Spinal hemangioma: This is a tumor formed by blood vessel tissues within your spinal column. Spinal hemangiomas are the most common primary spinal tumor and are typically benign.

Procedure:

Now you have a general idea of what to expect from spine tumour surgery: 

Anesthesia: Anesthesia is given to the patient to help diminish pain sensation and irritation during the procedure. Anesthesia will numb the area where the procedure is performed. 

Incision: An incision is made at the affected site of the spine from which the tumour needs to be removed. Flap length and extent depend on the type of procedure.

Tumour Exposure: The surgeon will then carefully dissect the surrounding structures and tissues including the muscles, so the tumour and relevant pieces of the bony spine may be accessed. The surgeon may use special retractors to hold the tissues apart, providing clear exposure to the surgical area. 

Tumour Resection: The tumour is then resected (removed) along with some healthy tissue. Depending on the situation, other techniques for tumour resection can also be utilised.

Decompression: The tumor creates pressure on the surrounding nerves, which leads to symptoms of pain. Therefore, decompression is required to relieve the pressure on surrounding structures.

Spinal Stabilisation: In cases where the removal of the tumor would cause instability to the spine, the surgeon may perform spinal fusion. This means that the surgeon will use bone graft, screws, and rods to join and stabilise the affected vertebra.

Closure: Once the tumor has been removed and any spinal stabilisation has been done, the surgeon will close the incision using sutures.