Spinal Cancer

Spine cancer can develop within your spinal column or spread to your spine from cancer in another part of your body. Through our partnership with Penn Medicine, neuroscience and cancer experts deliver compassionate care to improve your symptoms and enhance your mobility and quality of life.

Spine Cancer Symptoms

Signs of malignant (cancerous) spinal tumors can vary depending on their type and location. Symptoms may include:

• Pain, especially sudden-onset back pain
• Muscle weakness, numbness, or tingling in your legs
• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Muscle spasms or twitches

If you have a history of cancer and experience any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical care.

Types of Spine Cancer

Most spine tumors are benign (not cancerous). A malignant (cancerous) spine tumor occurs when cells grow abnormally and form a mass or spread (metastasize) to the spine from cancer in another area of the body.

As it grows, a tumor can put pressure on parts of your spine, causing symptoms that include sudden back pain, muscle weakness in your legs, and more.

While rare, primary malignant spine tumors form within the spinal column's structures, including the vertebrae, spinal cord, nerve roots, and surrounding soft tissue. Types of malignant spinal tumors include:

• Chondrosarcoma, which forms in cartilage around bones
• Chordoma, a bone tumor that forms inside the spinal column
• Ewing sarcoma, while rare in adults, affects the bone and soft tissue
• Osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer

Secondary (metastatic) spinal tumors are the most common form of spinal cancer. These tumors can spread (metastasize) to the spine from cancer in another part of the body. It most commonly occurs with the following cancers:

• Breast
• Colon
• Kidney
• Leukemia
• Lung
• Lymphoma
• Multiple myeloma (rare blood cancer affecting plasma cells)
• Prostate

Beyond metastatic spinal cancer, the cause of most malignant spinal tumors is unknown. Some suspected risk factors include a family history of spinal tumors, a weakened immune system, or exposure to cancer-causing chemicals.

Spinal Cancer Diagnosis at Virtua

Some malignant spinal tumors are found inadvertently when you have imaging tests for other reasons. If you’re having symptoms, it’s essential to see your doctor for further evaluation.

Spinal tumors are typically diagnosed through medical evaluation, physical examination, and diagnostic tests.

Medical history and physical examination

You’ll discuss your symptoms, medical history, and risk factors with your doctor, who may also order blood tests. You’ll have a physical exam, including neurological tests, to assess your pain, reflexes, muscle weakness, and more.

Diagnostic imaging

Imaging tests play a crucial role in diagnosing spinal cancer. The neurosurgery team at Virtua uses advanced diagnostic imaging techniques and tools, including:

• Spine X-rays are often the first imaging test ordered for sudden back pain.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), with or without contrast, provides clear images of the spinal column and nearby structures.
• CT (computed tomography) scan, with or without contrast, creates detailed pictures of the bones and soft tissues surrounding your spinal column to show abnormalities and locate tumors.
• Positron emission tomography (PET scan) helps stage cancer and detect metabolic changes in a tumor.

Biopsy

A biopsy is the most definitive way to diagnose spinal cancer. It involves taking a small tissue sample from the tumor for examination under a microscope.

Lab tests

The tissue from your biopsy may undergo lab tests, including molecular analysis, to determine the type and grade of the tumor. These tests help pinpoint specific genetic or molecular markers to guide treatment decisions.

Spinal tumors are graded 1 through 4. Most spinal tumors are grades 1 or 2 (slow-growing) versus grades 3 or 4 (aggressive, fast-growing).

It’s essential to receive an accurate diagnosis so your treatment planning can begin as quickly as possible. We’re also here to support you and your family, answering all your questions and addressing your concerns.

Spinal Tumor Treatment at Virtua

If you’ve been diagnosed with a metastatic or primary spinal tumor, you can access advanced surgical options and comprehensive cancer care from Penn Medicine and Virtua Health experts in neurosciences and cancer.

Your treatment may involve a combination of neurosurgical oncology, medical oncology, radiation therapy, proton therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapies. Your treatment plan is personalized based on your tumor type, size, location, grade, and overall health.

In most cases, you can receive all your care here in South Jersey. This includes:

World-class neurosurgical care: Your care is led by board-certified and fellowship-trained neurosurgeons from the Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Neurosciences Program. These specialists draw upon the latest research and clinical advances to deliver the safest and highest level of care. Working closely with experts from the Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Cancer Program, our skilled physicians, nurses, and therapists, provide expert, compassionate care for benign and malignant spine tumors.

Leading-edge technology: Our neurosurgeons use advanced neuro-navigation technology during surgery. This powerful image-guided technology helps our neurosurgeons pinpoint the location of tumors and remove them safely while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue. Our team also uses innovative spine implants, including carbon fiber implants, that may help you move to radiation therapy more quickly after surgery.

Accredited inpatient physical rehabilitation: You may require intensive rehabilitation following spinal tumor surgery. The Virtua Acute Rehabilitation Center, located within Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, provides 24/7, high-quality physical rehabilitation to help you recover after surgery.

Dedicated oncology nurse navigation: Your oncology nurse navigator provides personalized support before, during, and after cancer treatment to help you understand your diagnosis, streamline communications and scheduling, and connect you with support services.

Targeted radiation treatment: Our neurosurgeons and radiation oncologists use targeted radiosurgery technology to shrink and destroy tumors while sparing the surrounding healthy tissues. This technology improves outcomes while minimizing side effects, risks, and discomfort. We also provide innovative internal and external radiation therapy options.

Advanced proton therapy in South Jersey: A more precise form of radiation therapy called proton therapy is used to treat certain types of cancer, including spinal tumors. We use this advanced treatment for tumors near highly sensitive areas or if surgery cannot completely remove a tumor. The Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Proton Therapy Center is part of our radiation oncology location in Voorhees and is the only proton therapy center in South Jersey.

Coordinated neurosurgery care and communications: Led by our neurosurgeons, our experienced team includes neurologists, radiologists, neuro-hospitalists, nurses, and therapists. Together, we work closely with you and your referring physician to deliver the expert treatment and follow-up care you need.