Spinal Condition
Spinal Tumors of Bone & Nerves
Intradural, Extradural & Vertebral Tumours
Spinal tumours — arising from the vertebral bone, spinal cord, or surrounding tissues — require precise surgical management to relieve compression and restore neurological function.
Understanding Spinal Tumors
Spinal tumours are classified by location: extradural (outside the dural sac, usually metastatic), intradural-extramedullary (within the dural sac but outside the cord — most commonly meningiomas and schwannomas), and intramedullary (within the cord itself). Metastatic spinal disease is far more common than primary tumours. Treatment goals include tissue diagnosis, decompression of neural elements, mechanical stabilisation, and local tumour control. Dr. Sparsh Jaiswal employs minimally invasive separation surgery, percutaneous stabilisation, and — in selected cases — endoscopic resection to achieve these goals with reduced surgical morbidity.
infoCommon Causes
- Metastatic spread from breast, lung, prostate, kidney, or thyroid cancer
- Primary bone tumours — osteosarcoma, chordoma, giant cell tumour
- Nerve sheath tumours — schwannoma, neurofibroma
- Meningiomas arising from the dural lining
- Ependymomas and astrocytomas (intramedullary tumours)
- Haemangiomas — benign vascular lesions of vertebral bodies
symptomsKey Symptoms
- check_circlePersistent or progressive back or neck pain worse at night
- check_circleRadicular pain radiating into the limbs
- check_circleProgressive weakness, sensory loss, or paralysis
- check_circleBladder and bowel dysfunction
- check_circleSystemic symptoms — weight loss, fatigue, fever
Diagnosis
MRI with gadolinium contrast is the primary investigation. CT scan defines bony involvement. PET-CT or bone scan identifies systemic disease. CT-guided needle biopsy provides tissue diagnosis before definitive treatment.
verified_userMedically reviewed: May 2026 — Dr. Sparsh Jaiswal, MBBS DNB FISS FINM MNAMS · Apollo Hospitals, Indore (Reg: MP-16286 | MCI-19-30548)
Frequently Asked Questions about Spinal Tumors
How are spinal tumors classified?
Spinal tumors are classified by location: extradural (outside the dural sac — most commonly metastatic), intradural-extramedullary (within the dural sac but outside the cord — including meningiomas and schwannomas), and intramedullary (within the spinal cord itself). Metastatic spinal disease from breast, lung, prostate, or kidney cancers is far more common than primary spinal tumors.
What are warning signs of a spinal tumor?
Key warning signs include progressive back or neck pain that is worse at night and unrelieved by rest, pain not associated with activity, neurological symptoms (weakness, sensory loss, or bladder/bowel dysfunction), systemic symptoms (unexplained weight loss, fever, or fatigue), and back pain in a patient with a known history of cancer. These red flag symptoms require urgent MRI.
Is all spine tumor surgery open surgery?
No. Dr. Sparsh Jaiswal employs minimally invasive separation surgery for metastatic spinal tumors — using percutaneous pedicle screws for stabilisation and a minimal approach to decompress the spinal cord. For benign intradural tumors (schwannomas, meningiomas), microsurgical techniques allow complete removal with excellent neurological outcomes. The surgical approach depends on tumor type, location, and the patient's overall condition.
Can spinal tumors be cured?
Benign primary tumors — such as schwannomas and meningiomas — can typically be completely resected with a high cure rate. Malignant primary tumors (rare) require combined treatment with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Metastatic spinal tumors are not curable but surgery combined with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) can provide durable local control — relieving neurological compression and restoring quality of life.
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