What is a Spine Tumor?
Cancer can originate virtually anywhere in the body. If the disease progresses, it can spread, or metastasize, to other parts of the body, including the spine. When cancerous cells spread to the spine, a spine tumor often results. Spinal tumors can weaken or fracture the vertebrae, the bones that make up the spine, causing patients to experience mild to severe pain.
Tumors that spread from another area of the body to the spine are described as metastatic, or more commonly, metastatic spinal tumors. Recognizing spinal tumor symptoms and accurately assessing the size, location, and type of the spine tumor that is affecting the vertebrae will be key to selecting the best treatment option.
Spine tumor treatment options currently available to relieve metastatic bone cancer symptoms include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, radiosurgery, general surgery, and minimally invasive spine procedures, such as cryosurgery or radiofrequency ablation.