Spinal tumors are abnormal masses of tissue that develop surrounding or within the spinal cord. They can be both cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign). They can also originate in the spine or spinal cord or spread to the spine from another location in the body. Dr. Sina Rajamand provides advanced treatment for spinal tumors in Reno, NV at Battle Born Brain and Spine.

Spinal tumors are classified by the region of the spine in which they occur (cervical, thoracic, lumbar or sacrum) and by their location within the spinal structure.

• Intradural-extramedullary – These tumors develop inside the thin covering of the spinal cord (the dura), but outside the actual spinal cord. They account for about 40% of all spinal tumors.
• Intramedullary – These tumors grow inside the spinal cord, but only occur in about 5% of patients.
• Extradural – These tumors are located outside the dura and occur in about 55% of patients with spinal tumors.

Medical research has determined that between 30% and 70% of patients with cancer will have it spread to their spine. The most common primary spine tumor is vertebral hemangiomas. These are benign lesions that rarely cause pain.

Spine Cancer Types

The above types of spinal tumors each have both malignant and benign forms that can develop. However, brain tumors are by far the most common form of nervous system cancer, occurring about four times as often as spinal tumors.

Most spine cancer types spread to the spine from other areas. The most common of these are breast, lung and prostate cancer, although multiple myeloma, lymphoma, melanoma, sarcoma and cancers of the kidney, thyroid and gastrointestinal tract can also spread to the spine.

Carson City Spine Tumor Surgery

Common treatments for malignant spine tumors involve chemotherapy and radiation. These treatments are particularly effective on certain types of tumors, some more than others. Some tumors may be resistant to these therapies, and require surgery. Neurosurgery to remove spinal tumors can be complicated by the tumor’s location and nearby nerve branches or other structures.

Tumor removal surgery may also require certain repair surgeries to the spine, such as spinal decompression or spinal fusion. Dr. Rajamand can explain more about what is required in your case after a thorough diagnostic evaluation at Battle Born Brain and Spine near Carson City. When spinal tumors or cancer threatens, contact Dr. Sina Rajamand for treatment of spinal tumors in Reno.