 |
|
Spinal Metastases From Stubblefield and O'Dell's "Principles and Practice of Cancer Rehabilitation," Demos Medical Publishing |
|
The central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord. The spine is made up of linked bones, called vertebrae, as well as muscles, tendons, and other tissues that reach from the base of the skull to the tailbone. It is surrounded by three protective membranes. The spine encloses the column of nerve tissue known as the spinal cord as well as the fluid surrounding the spinal cord.
Although tumors rarely occur in or around the spinal cord, different types of cancer may form in the bones, tissues, fluid, or nerves of the spine.
Primary & Metastatic Spine Tumors
Only 5 to 10 percent of tumors in the spinal area are primary tumors that originate in the spine. Most spine tumors have spread, or metastasized, to the spine from cancers that originated in other locations, such as the lung, breast, colon, prostate, kidney, or thyroid gland. Sarcomas can also spread to the spine.
Unlike brain tumors, which usually cause symptoms on only one side of the body, tumors in or around the spine usually cause symptoms on both sides of the body. These symptoms may include weakness or numbness in both legs. Metastatic tumors often progress quickly, while primary tumors often progress slowly.
Types of Spinal Tumors
Most primary and metastatic spinal tumors are known as epidural tumors, arising from the bones of the spine and compressing the spinal cord outside the spinal dura (a thick sac that surrounds the spinal fluid, spinal cord, and nerve roots).
Tumors that begin inside the spinal dura are called intradural tumors. Intradural tumors that arise inside the spinal cord are known as intramedullary tumors. Two types of intramedullary tumors are ependymomas and astrocytomas. Another intradural spine tumor -- called intradural extramedullary tumors -- forms inside the spinal dura but outside the spinal cord. Meningiomas, schwannomas, and myxopapillary ependymomas are types of extramedullary tumors.
Spine tumors also grow next to the spine in the nerve plexus, which is a network of intersecting nerves that supplies nerves to the arms (brachial plexus) or legs (lumbosacral plexus). Two types of tumors that develop in this region are neurofibromas and ganglioneuromas.
Below are the most common types of spine tumors:
