Almost 70 out of 100 people (almost 70%) survive for 1 year or more after diagnosis. Around 40 out of 100 people (around 40%) survive for 5 years or more after diagnosis. These statistics for adults with oligodendroglioma are for relative survival.
Actual survival 3–12 months (n=4)—median difference, 7 months.
Some people live active and fulfilling lives with spinal tumors that don't grow or cause symptoms. In some cases, people with metastatic spinal tumors need to continue treatments, including chemotherapy or radiation, to keep the cancer from spreading to other parts of the body.
Spinal cord tumors and vertebral tumors can be cancerous or noncancerous, but either form can result in disability and even death.
Primary tumors often progress slowly over weeks to years. Tumors in the spinal cord usually cause symptoms, sometimes over large portions of the body. Tumors outside the spinal cord may grow for a long time before causing nerve damage.
Spinal tumors or growths of any kind can lead to pain, neurological problems and sometimes paralysis. A spinal tumor can be life-threatening and cause permanent disability. Treatment for a spinal tumor may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or other medications.
Common symptoms of a spinal tumor include: Back pain that often radiates to other areas and worsens at night. Pain at the tumor site. Radiating numbness, tingling, or weakness.
“Spinal cord tumors usually grow slowly,” adds Neil Malhotra, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at Penn Medicine. “Many patients will have mixed sets of symptoms.” This can lengthen the diagnosis process as well.
You can feel pain in your cervical (neck), thoracic (middle of the back), or lumbar spine (lower back). Tumors can also cause pain, numbness, or weakness in your arms or legs by pressing on the nerves of your spinal cord.
The most noticeable sign of spinal cancer is pain. Pain may come from the tumor's presence in the spinal column, pushing on sensitive nerve endings or causing spinal instability. When the spine is not lined up properly, other physically notable symptoms may result (e.g., changes in posture, Kyphosis or hunchback).
There are several types of masses that can be found in the spine: Some are malignant tumors (spinal cancer), which means they can spread to other areas of the body. Some are benign tumors, which means they are not aggressive and don't spread, but it doesn't mean they are harmless.
Most symptomatic spinal cord tumors require surgical removal which can typically be performed with small incisions on the back or neck and little bony disruption. Depending on the type of tumor, further treatment may be indicated, including radiation or chemotherapy.
MRI uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to produce accurate images of your spine, spinal cord and nerves. MRI is usually the preferred test to diagnose tumors of the spinal cord and surrounding tissues.
Fatigue can be caused by a brain or spine tumor, medications used to treat side effects, and is the most common side effect of cancer treatment.
Extradural tumor: This type of tumor is located outside your dura (the thin covering surrounding your spinal cord), which includes your vertebrae (the bones that form your spine). Approximately 55% of spinal tumors are in this area.
If a suspicious area is seen on an imaging study, a biopsy may be performed. This involves harvesting a small amount of tissue from the tumor or lesion. This tissue is then sent to a pathologist who will examine it and perform tests to determine whether the cellular structure is that of a benign or malignant tumor.
The cause of primary spinal tumors is unknown. Some primary spinal tumors occur with certain inherited gene mutations. Spinal tumors can be located: Inside the spinal cord (intramedullary)
Certain blood tests help your doctor determine if pain and other symptoms are caused by an infection or possibly a spinal tumor. Certain blood tests help your doctor determine if pain and other symptoms are caused by an infection or possibly a spinal tumor.
An MRI with contrast dye is the best way to see brain and spinal cord tumors. Using MRI, doctors can sometimes tell if a tumor is or isn't cancer. MRI can also be used to look for signs that cancer may have metastasized (spread) from where it started to another part of the body.
Blood tests are not used to diagnose brain or spinal cord tumours. However, they are routinely done to provide a baseline before any planned treatment. They can provide helpful information about your general health, how other organs are functioning, other medical conditions and the possible risks of treatment.
Chemotherapy drugs destroy cancer cells throughout the body. They are rarely used to treat spinal cord tumors unless the tumors are cancerous and fast-growing, increasing their risk of spreading outside of the spinal cord. When prescribed, these drugs are often given after surgery or radiation therapy.
Chemo is not as helpful for treating some other types of tumors, such as spinal cord tumors, so it is used less often for these tumors. Chemo is most often used along with other treatments such as surgery and/or radiation therapy.
Overall, the chance that a person will develop a malignant tumor of the brain or spinal cord in their lifetime is less than 1%.
The cancer may be controlled with treatment, meaning it might seem to go away or stay the same. The cancer may not grow or spread as long as you're getting treatment. Sometimes when treatment shrinks the cancer, you can take a break until the cancer starts to grow again.