Cancer of the Spinal Cord

Being made up of similar tissue as the brain, spinal cord tumours are similar to brain tumours but are less frequent. Most of the tumours found there have spread from other parts of the body. Spinal cord tumours may stop messages passing along the nerves between brain and body in much the same way as injury to the spinal cord does.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms are pain, loss of feeling and ability to move arms or legs, and sometimes paralysis on one side with loss of sensation on the other.

Diagnosis

Spinal tumours are diagnosed by careful physical and X-ray examination of the affected segment. Sometimes the spinal fluid is taken for analysis.

Treatment

Surgery is the usual treatment method and prompt action may lessen or even prevent permanent effects from these tumours. Radiotherapy is sometimes used along with surgery.