Pain in the neck, back, and lumbar region may not just be muscle pain. Persistent pain that wakes you up at night can be an indicator of spinal tumors. If the pain is accompanied by serious symptoms such as numbness and weakness in the arms and legs, or loss of control over bladder and bowel movements, consulting a specialist without delay is vital. Spinal tumors can be managed with early diagnosis and personalized treatment plans, improving your quality of life.
CONTENTS
- Spinal Tumors Can Occur Anywhere on the Spine
- If Pain Wakes You Up at Night...
- Do Not Delay Consulting a Doctor
- Treatment of Spinal Tumors is Tailored Individually
Spinal Tumors Can Occur Anywhere on the Spine
Spinal tumors are categorized into two main types: primary and metastatic tumors:
- Primary spinal tumors originate and grow from the bone or soft tissue of the spine itself.
- Metastatic spinal tumors spread to the spine from other tissues.
The most common metastatic tumors in the spine originate from breast, lung, prostate, stomach, and intestinal cancers, though tumors from other regions can also spread to the spine. The spine is one of the most frequent sites for bone metastases in the body. Spinal tumors can appear anywhere along the length of the spine, from the base of the skull to the tailbone.
If the Pain Wakes You Up at Night...
In addition to supporting the body upright, the spine has the vital function of encasing and protecting the spinal cord like a cage. Tumors that develop in the spine, whether benign or malignant, can exert pressure on the spinal cord depending on their size. This pressure can lead to the following symptoms:
- Neck, back, or lower back pain
- Pain radiating to the arms and legs
- Burning or numbness in the arms and legs
- Loss of muscle strength (paralysis)
- Inability to control bladder or bowel movements
In malignant spinal tumors, the pain is often persistent and severe enough to wake the patient at night. Additionally, weight loss can accompany these symptoms in cases of malignant spinal tumors. In some benign spinal tumors that appear at a young age, scoliosis may occur alongside the pain.
Do Not Delay Consulting a Doctor
The symptoms experienced can sometimes be mistaken for other conditions, such as a herniated disc, causing delays in seeking medical attention. Following a doctor’s examination, the lesion causing the complaints can be easily identified through radiological imaging techniques such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT), and X-rays.
Once a spinal tumor is detected, a minimally invasive biopsy can be performed to diagnose the tumor. Additionally, PET CT imaging should be conducted to determine whether the lesion is a primary spinal tumor or metastasis from another source. It is also crucial to examine organs that commonly metastasize to the spine, such as the breast, lungs, prostate, and thyroid, and to conduct specific blood tests and laboratory analyses for a comprehensive diagnosis.
Treatment of Spinal Tumors is Tailored to the Individual
The treatment of spinal tumors requires a multidisciplinary approach involving spinal surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, nuclear medicine, radiology, interventional radiology, and pain management specialists working collaboratively. Since the treatment varies between primary and metastatic spinal tumors, it must be personalized for each patient.
- For primary spinal tumors, which originate from the spine itself, the tumor should be removed in one piece.
- The treatment of metastatic spinal tumors depends on the following factors:
- Size of the tumor
- Degree of pressure exerted on the spinal cord
- Type of the tumor
- Location of the tumor within the spine
- Sensitivity to radiation therapy
- Patient’s age, overall health, and expected lifespan
In cases of metastatic tumors, the goal is to extend the patient's lifespan, alleviate symptoms, relieve pain, improve quality of life, and prevent risks such as paralysis.
Different treatment methods are tailored for each patient. In the treatment of metastatic spinal tumors, modern technological tools enable:
- Minimally invasive surgeries
- Stereotactic radiosurgery, known as non-surgical radiotherapy
- Combined surgical and radiotherapy treatments.
Important Note: Spinal tumors are serious conditions that can pose life-threatening risks. Therefore, it is crucial to consult a specialist doctor without delay when symptoms are noticed. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can significantly improve the quality of life.