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Spinal Tumors are uncontrolled tissue growth located in either the vertebral column or the spinal cord. The Spinal Tumors are classified on basis of their location:
1. Intradural: When a tumour lies inside the dural lining.
Intradural-extramedullary: When the tumour lies inside the dural lining but outside the spinal cord tissue e.g Nerve sheath tumours, Meningiomas.
Intradural-intramedullary: Tumors are located within the dura and spinal cord parenchyma e.g Ependymomas and Astrocytomas.
2. Extradural: Tumors are located outside the dural lining e.g. metastasis or primary bone tumours.
Metastatic spine tumours comprise the most common group of spine tumours and they commonly spread from breast, prostate, lung, and kidney cancer.
What is Spinal Tumor Surgery?
Surgery is done to remove tumours in the spinal region. The most common tumour encounter is metastasis and it causes vertebral bone damage or spinal cord or nerve compression. The aim of surgery in such cases is to decompress the spinal cord adequately so that neurology recovers and to provide strength to the spine column by inserting pedicle screws and rods. At the same time specimen can be sent for histopathological and immunohistochemistry markers study, which help in identifying the primary source of the tumour and to start the chemotherapy or radiotherapy accordingly. Consult the top neurosurgeons in Bangalore if you require spinal tumour surgery.
Possible Surgical Procedures Of Spinal Tumors:
Depending on the type and location of the spinal tumour, possible surgical procedures to remove part of, or the entire tumour include:
Metastatic Spine Tumour Surgery: A metastatic spine tumour — which can begin anywhere in the body and then spread to the spine, which is removed using surgical procedures such as:
Spinal Decompression: Spinal decompression is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of a part of the tumour (resection), or the entire tumour (excise) to decompress or relieve the pressure of the tumour on the spinal cord and nerve roots. The procedure also creates enough space for high-dose radiation treatment without causing injury to the spinal cord. The procedure reduces pain in the neck and shoulder and restores neurological functions.
Spinal instrumentation or spinal implants: Specially designed screws and rods are attached to the spine to restore spinal stability and alignment. This technique is used depending on the severity of the spinal cord compression.
Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty: When a spinal tumour causes spinal compression or fracture, a spinal decompression procedure is performed along with kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty procedures. Both are minimally invasive procedures that are performed to restore spinal stability. Kyphoplasty uses a balloon to create space between the bones and a mixture of cement is injected to stabilize the spine. Vertebroplasty uses radio-frequency ablation to remove the tumour and the space is then filled with a mixture of bone cement.
En bloc Resection: The entire larger primary tumours located in the spine or next to the spine are removed in a single piece. Usually treatment of choice for primary malignant bone tumours.
Spinal Embolization: In case the spinal tumour has a high number of blood cells, the blood flow to the tumour is blocked using imaging techniques prior to surgery to prevent loss of blood. This causes the tumour to shrink. Firstly, a diagnostic technique called spinal angiography is performed to get an accurate picture of the blood vessels in the spine by injecting a contrast dye and blood vessels are identified using an X-ray.
Radiosurgery (CyberKnife): Spinal tumours are treated using targeted radiation and the tumour disappears with time.
Advantages of the procedure:
Removes tumours.
Relief from neck/back pain and swelling.
Neurological function can be restored or preserved.
Improves mobility and muscle strength.
Factors on which surgery for spinal tumours depends.
Surgery for the spinal tumour is recommended based on a variety of factors such as:
Type, size, and stage of the tumour.
To remove a benign or malignant tumour.
To reduce the size of the tumour.
To relieve persistent neck or back pain.
To correct problems like difficulty in maintaining balance, difficulty walking, dysfunction of the bowel or bladder, etc.
To correct the neurologic deficits including compression of the spinal cord or nerve.
To stabilize the spine.
To treat spinal fractures.
To improve spinal functioning and quality of life.
Recovery:
After the surgical removal of the tumour, most patients are given rehabilitation therapy to speed up the recovery and get back to everyday activities. In case the tumour is cancerous or malignant, additional treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy is also given as part of the continued care.
