The symptoms of spinal cancer may occur very slowly. Other times, they occur quickly, even over a matter of hours or days

The symptoms of spinal cancer depend on several factors, including the tumor type, size, location and extent, as well as age, health history and more. Some common spinal cancer symptoms include pain, numbness, weakness and difficulty with urination.

The symptoms of spinal cancer may occur very slowly. Other times, they occur quickly, even over a matter of hours or days. Metastatic spinal tumors, which have spread to the spine from another location in the body, often progress quickly.

Common spinal cancer symptoms

The most noticeable sign of spinal cancer is pain. Pain can come from the tumor's presence in the spinal column, pushing on sensitive nerve endings or causing spinal instability. When the spine is not lined up properly, other physically notable symptoms may result (e.g., changes in posture, Kyphosis or hunchback).

When the tumor presses on the spinal cord, symptoms may begin with numbness or tingling in the arms or legs. Next, there may be clumsiness, not knowing where the feet are, and difficulty with buttons or keys. As the disease progresses, spinal cancer symptoms may grow to include weakness, inability to move the legs and eventually paralysis.

Some common signs of spinal tumors may include the following:

§  Pain (back and/or neck pain, arm and/or leg pain)

§  Muscle weakness or numbness in the arms or legs

§  Difficulty walking

§  General loss of sensation

§  Difficulty with urination (incontinence)

§  Change in bowel habits (retention)

§  Paralysis to varying degrees

§  Spinal deformities

§  Pain or difficulty with standing

  Minimally Invasive Spinal Tumor Removal Surgery in India

Some Spinal Tumors, benign or malignant, require surgical intervention before or after non-operative treatments. When pain is unresponsive to non-operative treatment, neurologic deficit progresses, a specimen is needed, neural elements (e.g. nerves) are compressed, vertebral destruction exists, or when spinal stabilization is necessary - surgery is considered. The primary goals in surgery are to reduce pain caused by the spinal tumor, restore or preserve neurologic function, and provide spinal stability. The spinal tumor may be approached surgically from the front (anterior) or back (posterior) of the body.

Surgery may include tumor resection (partial removal) or excision (complete removal). When the tumor is removed (partially or completed) pain and neurologic problems may clear up. Spinal instrumentation and Fusion are procedures used to reconstruct and stabilize the spine. These procedures join and solidify the level (or levels) where a spinal element (e.g. vertebral body) has been damaged or removed.

Why surgery for Spine Tumor Removal?

• When the tumor is removed (partially or completely) pain and neurologic problems may clear up.
• To restore and preserve neurological function and provide spinal stability.
• Spinal Tumor surgery is generally indicated in case there is a localized tumor which can be removed with minimum damage to nerve and spinal cord,
• There is persistent neurological deficit and pain which is unresponsive to non operative treatment
• Surgery may include resection (partial removal) or excision (complete removal) of tumor.