Spinal cord tumor surgery
The diagnosis of a spinal cord tumor at this time in most cases serves as an indication for surgery. Removal of a spinal cord tumor, even in the stage of severe paralysis, often leads to restoration of spinal cord function. The most difficult in terms of anatomical accessibility and removal, as well as very dangerous in terms of the consequences of surgical interventions, are tumors located in the cervical spine.
In our neurosurgery department, spinal cord tumor removal is performed under an operating microscope, using microinstruments, a multifunctional electrocoagulator, and a medical ruby laser. The above capabilities, as well as the use of modern anesthesia methods, allow for the successful removal of spinal cord tumors at all levels.
Surgical treatment of spinal cord tumors may be contraindicated only in severe patient conditions, when respiratory and cardiovascular system dysfunctions generally preclude the possibility of surgical intervention.
Benign spinal tumors
As a rule, they can be removed completely, that is, radically, provided that the tumor is not located in a functionally important area and the risk of its complete removal does not exceed the expected positive result in terms of survival and quality of life of the patient after surgery.
Total removal of malignant spinal tumors
Most often, this is impossible due to their significant growth into the surrounding brain tissue and the risk of damage to vital areas of brain tissue and blood vessels.
Conservative treatment of spinal cord tumors
Conservative treatment methods, such as a gentle inpatient regimen, general strengthening and analgesics, can in some cases reduce pain and even cause some improvement in function, but such remissions are incomplete and short-lived, and symptoms continue to progress.
Radiation therapy and chemotherapy for tumors
Radiation therapy is used after surgery to destroy any remaining tissue that cannot be removed or to treat inoperable tumors. It is usually the first-line treatment for metastatic tumors. Radiation may also be used to relieve pain or if surgery is too risky.
Chemotherapy
This is a standard treatment for many types of cancer – it has not proven its benefits for the treatment of many spinal tumors. However, there may be exceptions, so the treatment of spinal tumors should be comprehensive and as rational as possible, based on each specific clinical situation.
Spinal cord tumors
Spinal cord tumors are oncological processes that develop in the substance of the spinal cord and the spinal canal, as well as from the membranes and roots of the spinal cord. Among all tumors of the nervous system, the frequency of spinal tumors is 3-4%. The ratio of spinal and brain tumors is 1:9. They have the same frequency among men and women.
The most common location is the thoracic region. Symptoms are very diverse and depend on the effect of the tumor on nervous structures, blood vessels, and bone tissue.
Symptoms of spinal cord tumors:
- Sensory disorders and muscle weakness, which ultimately leads to paralysis.
- Decreased pain and temperature sensitivity;
- Pelvic organ dysfunction: urination, defecation, sexual disorders;
- Spinal deformities manifested by scoliosis or kyphosis.
Regarding the substance of the spinal cord, tumors are divided into:
- Extradural tumors – outside the dura mater
- Intradural:
- extramedullary (extracerebral)
- intramedullary (intracerebral).
Intramedullary tumors develop inside the spinal cord: Astrocytomas, hemangioblastomas, ependymomas.
Extramedullary tumors are most often meningiomas, schwannomas, and neurofibromas.
Author: Artem Koval
