What is a spinal tumor?

A spinal tumor is a growth of abnormal cells in or around the spine. These tumors can form in different areas, including the spinal cord, the protective layers around it, or the bones of the spine.

A spinal tumor can affect movement, balance, and sensations like touch and pain since the spinal cord and nerves play an important role in these functions. When a tumor presses on the nerves, it may cause discomfort, weakness, numbness or tingling in the arms and legs. Some people may also experience trouble walking, loss of bladder or bowel control or persistent back pain that doesn’t improve with rest. Spinal tumors in the bones are often spread from elsewhere in the body. They can weaken the bones and cause them to fracture.

While spinal tumors can be serious, treatment options are available to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. If you have ongoing back pain or other concerning symptoms, it's important to talk to a doctor.

Parent spending time with kids after recovering from a spinal tumor

Types of spinal tumors

Spinal tumors can form in different areas of the spine and may be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). Some tumors start in the spine (called primary tumors), while others spread from cancer in another part of the body (known as metastatic tumors). Understanding the different types of spinal tumors can help identify symptoms and treatment options.

Spine cancer symptoms

The symptoms of a spinal cord tumor vary based on its location, type and the person’s overall health. Tumors that spread from other parts of the body (metastatic tumors) tend to grow more quickly, while primary tumors typically develop slowly over weeks to years.

Tumors inside the spinal cord often cause symptoms across large areas of the body. Tumors outside the spinal cord may grow for a long time without causing noticeable nerve damage.

Common symptoms include:

  • Abnormal sensations or numbness, especially in the legs, which may occur around the knee or ankle, sometimes with sharp pain radiating down the leg
  • Back pain that worsens over time, typically in the middle or lower back. This pain is often severe, doesn’t improve with medication, and may worsen when lying down or during physical strain, like coughing or sneezing. It may also spread to the hips or legs
  • Cold sensations in the legs, cool fingers or hands, or coolness in other areas of the body
  • Fecal incontinence (loss of control over bowel movements)
  • Urinary incontinence (inability to control urination)
  • Muscle twitches, spasms or contractions (called fasciculations)
  • Loss of muscle function or weakness, especially in the legs, which can make walking difficult and lead to falls
  • Pain from metastatic tumors that doesn’t improve with rest, often worsens at night, and may be accompanied by symptoms of a serious illness such as weight loss, fever, chills, nausea or vomiting

When to see a doctor

People living with cancer who experience back pain without any obvious cause should see their oncologist immediately, as this could represent the spread of a tumor to the spine or potentially a fracture. For people without cancer, if you experience pain for any unknown reason, especially at night, you should seek an evaluation with your primary care physician (PCP).

If you are diagnosed with a spinal tumor or your PCP is concerned by the results, they will refer you to a spine surgeon. Many spine cancer symptoms, such as paralysis and loss of bladder or bowel function, need urgent medical attention. If you experience any of these, go to your local emergency room immediately.

What causes tumors in the spinal cord?

The exact cause of most spinal cord tumors is unknown. These tumors start when cells in or around the spinal cord grow abnormally. The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that carries messages between the brain and the rest of the body, and it's protected by the bones of the spine.

A spinal cord tumor forms when cells in the spinal cord or nearby tissues experience changes in their DNA. DNA is like a set of instructions that tells cells how to grow, divide and die. In tumor cells, these instructions go wrong, causing cells to grow too quickly and not die when they should. This leads to the formation of a tumor that can press on nerves and cause problems.

In some cases, these changes turn cells into cancerous cells, which can invade and damage healthy tissue.

Spine cancer risk factors

Spinal cord tumors are more common in people with certain genetic conditions, including:

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)

A genetic condition that causes changes in skin color and growth of tumors in nerve tissue. These tumors can form in the brain, spinal cord and nerves.

How are spinal tumors diagnosed?

Primary spinal tumors often don't cause any symptoms, so they’re usually discovered by chance during imaging tests for other reasons. If you're experiencing back pain, it’s important to see your healthcare provider, especially if you have a history of cancer.

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history and do a neurological exam. They may also recommend tests, like imaging tests, to help confirm or rule out a tumor diagnosis.

Treatment of spinal tumors

Your doctor and cancer care team will discuss your treatment options with you, explaining the risks and benefits of each one. Your current health, age, goals for treatment and possible side effects play a role in developing the right plan for you. It’s important to ask questions and be sure you understand all your options, so you feel confident in your care plan.

Watchful waiting

In some cases, benign spinal tumors may not cause noticeable symptoms or may only cause mild symptoms that don’t significantly affect daily life. When this happens, your doctor may decide to take a "watchful waiting" approach. This means they will closely monitor the tumor over time to see if it changes or grows.

To do this, your doctor may recommend regular follow-up appointments and imaging tests, such as MRIs or CT scans, to track the tumor's size and any potential changes. This approach allows the doctor to assess whether the tumor is progressing or if additional treatment is needed. If symptoms worsen or new issues arise, your doctor may suggest further evaluation or treatment options.

This monitoring approach is often used when the tumor is small, slow-growing or located in a way that it doesn’t pose an immediate risk to surrounding nerves or tissues. Regular check-ups are important to ensure the tumor is being managed effectively.

Find specialized spinal tumor care near you

We have multiple locations across North and Central Texas to provide you with convenient access to expert care. Our specialized centers include oncology, neurology and spine care, all designed to meet the unique needs of patients with spinal tumors. Whether you're seeking diagnostic testing, treatment options or ongoing support, our dedicated healthcare teams are here to guide you every step of the way.

Frequently asked questions

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