What Is The Most Common Spinal Cord Tumor In Adults?
It can be quite difficult for anyone to accept the fact that they have a spinal cord tumor.
The risk of developing any type of brain or spinal cord tumor is usually high in adults. It occurs due to your sedentary lifestyle or daily stress.
A spinal tumor is defined as an abnormal growth that originates in the tissues that make up the spine. Cells in your spine can grow out of control. These tumors occur when something is wrong with genes that regulate cell growth, allowing cells to grow out of control.
Where do spinal tumors form?:
The spinal column is made up of different tissues that run along the back to the neck and pelvis. A tumor can form in almost any tissue in the spine. Spinal tumors are formed mainly in:
Bones that make up the vertebral vertebrae
The cartilage that makes up the joints of the vertebrae.
The intervertebral disc that cushions the space between the vertebrae.
Peripheral nerves that come out of the vertebrae.
You may hear your neurosurgeon talk about tumor grades. This tumor classification can make the difference between slow-growing and fast-growing types of tumors. Some tumors change grade as they progress, usually to a higher grade. Grade 1 and Grade 2 tumors are slower-growing tumors than Grade 3 and Grade 4 tumors.
Also, grade 1 and grade 2 tumors spread to nearby tissues. In contrast, grade 3 and grade 4 tumors spread more rapidly to other tissues.
Most common types of spinal cord tumors in adults:
Tumors are classified according to where they grow in the spine and their degree of malignancy. Some tumors are cancerous while others are not.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common types of spinal cord tumors in adults:
Primary and metastatic vertebral tumors
Primary tumors of the spine originate in the spine. They are relatively rare, non-cancerous, and represent a small percentage of spinal tumors.
Tumors that spread to the brain from a primary neoplasm in other parts of the body are called metastatic tumors of the spine. A study has shown that between 30 and 70 percent of cancer patients develop metastatic spinal cancer during their illness.
Based on their location in the spine, tumors are classified as follows:
Intradural These tumors form within the dura and may or may not affect your spinal cord.
Intramedullary: These tumors are intradural tumors that develop within the spinal cord.
Extradura These tumors are from inside the spine and can affect the vertebrae. These spinal tumors are located in the epidural space, which is the area around the tough membrane that protects the spinal cord.
Other types of tumors in adults
Astrocytomas
Astrocytoma is cancer that occurs in the brain and spinal cord. It begins in the astrocyte cells that support our nerve cells. Some astrocytomas can grow slowly, while others can be aggressive cancers that can grow quickly.
A recent study has shown that this tumor is more common in the 20 to 45 age group. Also, men are more likely to develop this tumor than women.
Ependymomas
These are cancerous tumors that grow in the brain or other parts of the spine, including the neck and upper back. First, it forms in ependymal cells, located in the middle of the spinal cord, and then in fluid-filled ventricles, located in the brain.
Hemangioblastoma
It is a non-cancerous tumor that forms in the lower part of the brain, spinal cord, or retina. This tumor grows in the wall of a blood vessel but does not invade nearby tissue. As this tumor grows, it can cause neurological symptoms such as headache, weakness, sensory loss, or problems with the balance of coordination.
Meningiomas
This tumor begins in the meninges, a membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Meningiomas are among the most common types of tumors that form on the head. Most of these tumors grow slowly without causing symptoms. However, sometimes its effect on nearby brain tissue can seriously impair your brain.
Neurofibromas
These tumors are benign tumors that grow on the nerves of the body. However, these tumors can grow anywhere in the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
Hormonal changes associated with pregnancy or puberty can lead to an increase in neurofibromas. These tumors are generally considered non-cancerous, but they can also sometimes become cancerous. The first symptoms may be mild. However, complications can include hearing loss, learning disabilities, and severe pain.
Contact the best neurosurgeons in Amritsar for treating all types of neurological disorders. You can get the best treatment with very advanced care.
