Overview

Spinal tumors can be benign or malignant (cancerous). Constant growth of the tumor can cause problems by damaging different tissues in the spinal column. However, there are more categories within this term that patients should understand.

Categories

These are two broad categories of the spinal tumors:

• Intramedullary - When the spinal tumor is located within the column i.e. within the cord parenchyma, it is known as intramedullary.
• Extramedullary - These tumors are further divided into two categories namely intradural and extradural, referring to spinal dura mater - the outermost layers of tissue surrounding the spinal cord. When a tumor is located within the dura but outside the spinal cord, it is intradural. When it is located outside the dura, it is known as extradural.

Effects and Treatment

These tumors can put pressure on the surrounding tissues causing neurological consequences. Surgical removal can resolve these problems in many cases. However, radiation therapy can be used in other cases. Depending on the nature of the tumor, a combination of both can also be used for treatment.