Which doctor to see for spinal cord problems?

Neurologist departments of hospitals should be consulted about the spinal cord.

Where does a spinal cord tumor occur?

Spinal cord tumors are tumors that occur in or around the spinal cord. Spinal cord tumors are classified into benign and malignant tumors. However, even if the tumor is benign, it can cause pain and discomfort due to pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.

Can a Spinal Cord Tumor Kill?

When brain tumors spread rapidly, the affected person can die. This is why spinal cord tumors are different from other tumors. If the spinal cord tumor is located close to the brain, heart or respiratory area, there is a risk of death. With treatment, the average survival time of a spinal cord cancer patient is up to 40%. In some cases, depending on the location, form and progression of the cancer, this can be as low as 8% and in some cases as high as 84%.

What are Spinal Cord Tumors? Symptoms and Treatment

Q: What are the Symptoms of Spinal Cord Tumor?

- High pain in the back, neck and abdomen - Numbness in the chest, arms and legs - Loss of balance and difficulty walking - Altered bowel movements

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Pain in the neck, back and lower back can be caused by different reasons. The presence of cancerous cells in the spinal cord, which is responsible for transmitting brain functions to the body and is part of the nervous system, causes very serious conditions. Tumors that form in the spinal cord or spinal cord membrane, grow in soft tissues and affect the spinal bones are defined as spinal cord tumors. Spinal cord tumors, also called intradural tumors, cause different symptoms in patients depending on their shape and location. Today, with the development of modern medicine, the risks are largely eliminated.

Spinal cord tumors usually occur within or adjacent to the spinal cord and therefore need to be removed surgically; these tumors are called spinal cord tumors. Spinal cord tumors account for approximately 10-25% of all central nervous system tumors. The incidence is quite high. However, the likelihood of these tumors varies according to the type and location of the tumor.

What are the symptoms of spinal cord tumors?

Since the spinal cord is very sensitive to any compression, symptoms usually appear in the early stages. The most common symptoms include difficulty walking, balance deficit followed by urinary and stool control disorder.
Severe low back pain and back pain, difficulty walking and weakness in the legs are the most common symptoms.
Spinal cord function is preserved during surgery. Operating room MRI is a great help for complete removal of the tumor. Spinal cord damage is prevented by neuromonitoring.

How are spinal cord tumors treated?

Surgical removal of the tumor is the most appropriate treatment method. If this is not possible, the tumor is reduced in size with radiation therapy and cyber-knife methods. After surgical removal, the spinal cord often needs to be supported using implants. Bone reinforcements are used to prevent spinal fractures. The most elective method of treatment is surgical removal of the tumor. This is a very delicate surgery and uses advanced technology. Spinal cord tumors require intraoperative monitoring (continuous measurement of spinal cord function throughout the operation), especially when they compress or distort the spinal cord. In addition, the possibility of intraoperative MR technology (checking the surgical field with MR while the operation is in progress) is important. This surgery must be performed under a microscope.