What are Intramedullary spinal cord tumors?
Intramedullary spinal cord tumors are a subtype of intradural spinal tumor that develops from cells within the spinal cord rather than adjacent structures like the nerve roots or meninges. They are far less common than brain tumors and are assumed to account for 5-10% of all intrinsic central nervous system tumors. Their most common symptom is back pain, which is clinically difficult to differentiate from back pain caused by musculoskeletal conditions.
Most intramedullary spinal cord tumors are glial in origin because they are histologically and immunohistochemically equivalent to differentiated non-neuronal cell types found in nonpathological spinal cord tissue, such as ependymal cells and astrocytes. Since many of these tumors grow slowly, symptoms usually appear two years before diagnosis.
Although these tumors are uncommon, they are associated with complicated treatment options. The majority of patients with these tumors can be treated with attempted resection. Unfortunately, patients who cannot undergo gross-total resection or subtotal resection have few treatment options, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, these combination treatments risk significant adverse side effects and still leave patients with a grim outcome.
What are the Intramedullary spinal cord tumor symptoms?
- Back pain often radiates to other parts of the body.
- Tumor growth causes pain at the tumor’s site.
- Deficiency in bowel or bladder function.
- Struggling to walk, which can lead to falls.
- Sensation loss or muscle weakness, particularly in the arms or legs
- Sensitivity to pain, heat, and cold has decreased.
- Back pain that is exacerbated at night.
- Muscle weakness in parts of your body, which can be mild or severe.
The most common early symptom of a spinal tumor is back pain. However, pain could also extend from your back to your hips, legs, feet, or arms, and it may deteriorate despite treatment.
How is the diagnosis of Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumor made?
What are the treatments available for Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumor?
What are the operations/ surgical treatments available for Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumor?
Get in touch with a spine specialist Dr. Nitin Jadghane, for proper diagnosis of intramedullary spinal cord tumor treatment in Mumbai.
Dr Nitin Jagdhane is one of the best Neurosurgeon and Spine specialists who can do a proper diagnosis of intramedullary spinal cord tumor in Mumbai, India. Get in touch with Dr. Nitin Jagdhane, brain and spine specialist in Mumbai, for the best results for your intramedullary spinal cord tumor treatment.