Spinal Cord Tumor
A spinal cord tumor is a noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant) growth in or around the spinal cord.

People may have weak muscles, lose sensation in particular areas of the body, or become unable to control bowel and bladder function.

Magnetic resonance imaging can usually detect spinal cord tumors.

Treatment may involve surgical removal, radiation therapy, or both.

Spinal cord tumors are much less common than brain tumors. Spinal cord tumors may be primary or secondary.

Primary spinal cord tumors may be cancerous or noncancerous. They may originate in the cells within or next to the spinal cord. Only about one third of primary spinal cord tumors originate in the cells within the spinal cord. These tumors can extend within the cord and cause a fluid-filled cavity (syrinx) to form.

Most primary spinal cord tumors originate in cells next to the spinal cord, such as those of the meninges-the layers of tissue that cover the spinal cord (see Figure: How the Spine Is Organized). Meningiomas and neurofibromas, which originate in cells next to the cord, are the most common primary spinal tumors. They are noncancerous.

Secondary spinal cord tumors, which are more common, are metastases of cancer originating in another part of the body and thus are always cancerous. Metastases most commonly spread to the vertebrae from cancers that originate in the lungs, breasts, prostate gland, kidneys, or thyroid gland. Metastases usually put pressure on (compress) the spinal cord or nerve roots from the outside. Lymphomas may also spread to the spine and compress the spinal cord.