Vertebral Tumor – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Vertebral tumors grow in the bones of the spine (vertebrae). These tumors can be either benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
Most malignant vertebral tumors develop when cancer spreads from another part of the body to the spine. This spread is called metastatic cancer. Blood cell cancers and bone marrow diseases can also cause malignant vertebral tumors.
Primary bone tumors, which originate in the spine rather than spreading from elsewhere, are much less common.
Treatment options for vertebral tumors include surgery, radiation therapy, and medications (including chemotherapy).
Not all vertebral tumors require immediate treatment. Small, slow-growing tumors might be monitored instead. Healthcare providers consider several factors when determining the best treatment approach:
- Tumor type (benign or malignant)
- Location within the spine
- Size and growth rate
The vertebral column consists of many small bones stacked together, forming the backbone that keeps us upright. When tumors develop in these bones, they can affect stability and potentially impact the spinal cord.
Symptoms and Warning Signs
Back pain in the area of a vertebral tumor is a common symptom. This pain might spread from your back to nearby areas. It often feels worse at night.
Other warning signs include:
- Unusual sensations like numbness or pins and needles
- Movement problems in certain body parts
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Weakness in muscles
Most back pain isn’t caused by tumors. However, certain patterns of pain deserve attention.
Schedule a doctor visit if:
- Your pain is constant and getting worse
- The pain doesn’t seem linked to specific activities
- Pain worsens at night
- You have a history of cancer and new back pain
Seek emergency care if your back pain comes with:
- Weakness in your arms or legs
- Inability to control your bladder or bowels
- Numbness or tingling around your genital area
Causes
Vertebral tumors typically result from cancer that has spread from elsewhere in the body. This spreading cancer is called metastatic cancer.
The spine is a common place for cancer to spread, particularly from the breast, lung, or prostate. Kidney and thyroid cancers also frequently spread to the spine.
Blood-related cancers can also cause vertebral tumors. Multiple myeloma and lymphoma are examples of these types of cancer that affect the spine.
Primary vertebral tumors—those that begin in the spine itself—are uncommon. Scientists aren’t entirely sure what causes these primary tumors.
When primary vertebral tumors develop, they start because of DNA changes in spine bone cells. Normal DNA tells cells when to grow, multiply, and die. In tumor cells, DNA changes give different instructions.
These instructions make cells multiply too quickly and prevent them from dying when they should. This creates an excess of cells.
Some DNA changes can create cancer cells. These cells can destroy healthy tissue and spread to other parts of the body.
Non-cancerous vertebral tumors that begin in the spine include:
- Hemangioma
- Osteoid osteoma
- Osteoblastoma
- Aneurysmal bone cyst
- Osteochondroma
- Enchondroma
- Chondroblastoma
Cancerous vertebral tumors that start in the spine include:
- Chondrosarcoma
- Ewing sarcoma
- Osteosarcoma
- Chordoma
These primary tumors affect the bones of the spine directly rather than spreading from other areas of the body.
Risk Factors
People with a history of cancer face higher chances of developing vertebral tumors. These tumors typically form when cancer cells from other parts of the body spread to the spine.
This process, known as metastasis, is the most common cause of vertebral tumors.
The primary cancers most likely to spread to the spine include:
- Breast cancer
- Lung cancer
- Prostate cancer
Previous cancer treatment may also increase the risk of developing spinal tumors.
Complications
Tumors in the spine can lead to serious issues if left untreated. Two main complications are common:
Spinal cord compression occurs when tumors grow large enough to press against the spinal cord or nearby nerves. This typically begins with back pain and progresses to more severe symptoms.
Patients may experience weakness in affected body parts, numbness or tingling sensations, walking difficulties, and loss of bladder and bowel control.
Spinal instability happens when tumors weaken the vertebrae (spine bones). When these bones become fragile, they may break under normal pressure, shift out of their proper alignment, and cause difficulty maintaining posture.
The weakened spine struggles to support the body properly, resulting in pain and potential weakness in the affected areas.
Medical treatments can help manage or prevent these complications when applied early and appropriately.
