Tumors of the spinal cord, as they spread, put pressure on the spinal cord and lead to numerous motor and sensory disorders. In order to prevent further tumor growth, and hence irreversible changes in the spinal cord, early diagnosis is necessary, and appropriate treatment as soon as possible.
Treatment of spinal cord tumorsshould be started as early as possible in the disease.Tumors of the spinal cord , as they grow larger, they put pressure on the spinal cord and lead to its damage, and thus - to numerous motor and sensory disorders. Too latediagnosticsmay result in irreversible changes in the spine and, consequently, disability of the patient.
Tumors of the spinal cord - diagnosis
Tests that allow you to get an accurate image of the tumor are X-ray of the spine, computed tomography (CT), scintigraphy and, above all, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Invasive tests, which are performed in exceptional cases, include myelography, CT (myelo-CT) myelography, spinal angiography, and imaging-guided biopsy. The purpose of the latest test is to find out whether the spinal cord tumor is malignant or benign.
Tumors of the spinal cord - treatment
Surgical treatment is usually used to completely excise the neoplastic lesion. The selection of the appropriate surgical technique depends on the location of the tumor, the number of vertebrae involved, the spine segment, the need for stabilization, and the general condition of the patient. There are 3 surgical approaches to the spinal canal: anterior, posterior, lateral or posterolateral access.
In patients with advanced neoplastic disease, where surgery is contraindicated due to the patient's condition,vertebroplasty is helpful.It is a procedure that involves the percutaneous insertion of bone cement ( PMMA) into the vertebral bodies using a syringe with a needle. This treatment strengthens the shaft structure, and the high-temperature cement destroys cancer cells, reduces pain and, to some extent, reduces tumor growth.
Another helpful procedure iskyphoplasty , which involves introducing into the shafta spinal catheter through which an expandable balloon is introduced. Its purpose is to recreate the height of the vertebral body under pressure. In this way, a cavity into which bone cement is administered is formed inside the vertebral body. The procedure is performed with minimal incisions at the level of a given vertebra, under general or local anesthesia.