Cervical Tumor

A spinal tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue within or surrounding the spinal cord and spinal column, in which cells grow and multiply uncontrollably, seemingly unchecked by the mechanisms that control normal cells. Cervical Tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

The cause of most primary spinal tumors is unknown. Some of them may be attributed to exposure to cancer-causing agents. Spinal cord lymphomas, which are cancers that affect lymphocytes, a type of immune cell, are more common in people with compromised immune systems. There appears to be a higher incidence of spinal tumors in particular families, so there is most likely a genetic component.

Depending on the location and type of tumor, signs and symptoms include:

• Loss of sensation or muscle weakness, in the legs, arms or chest
• Difficulty walking, which may cause falls
• Decreased sensitivity to pain, heat and cold
• Loss of bowel or bladder function
• Paralysis that may occur in varying degrees and in different parts of the body, depending on which nerves are compressed
• Scoliosis or other spinal deformity resulting from a large but benign tumor

Initial treatment will involve thorough medical history and physical exam, including the patient’s symptoms. To help detect Cervical Tumors Robert Louis, MD conducts a neurological exam and may request for diagnostic imaging to find the exact location of disc degeneration causing the symptoms of Cervical Osteoarthritis.

Computerized tomography (CT Scan): CT scan may aid in determining the exact location of disc causing the nerve root and spinal cord compression.

X-ray: Application of radiation to produce a film or picture of a part of the body can show the structure of the vertebrae and the outline of the joints.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Advanced cases of Cervical Osteoarthritis show abnormal signal within the spinal cord on MRI imaging. In case of atrophy of the spinal cord due to nerve cell loss, also referred to as myelomalacia, surgical outcomes may not be as promising.

Because most of these tumors arise from advanced cancer from another organ, the goal of spinal treatment is usually to:

• Control the severe pain that often occurs with these tumors (e.g. by removing pressure on the nerve roots)
• Preserve neurological function (e.g. by removing the pressure on the spinal cord)
• Fix structural instability in the spine (e.g. by reconstruction unstable spine with a spinal fusion)

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Robert Louis, MD specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery, wherein he incorporates his education, experience and training in cutting edge technology and instrumentation.