This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Maurie Markman, MD, President, Medicine & Science
This page was updated on July 20, 2022.
Primary spinal cancer develops from cells within the spinal cord or in the surrounding structure of bones, tissues, fluid and nerves.
Along with the brain, the spinal cord forms part of the central nervous (CNS). The spinal cord is a column of nerve tissue that extends from the base of the brain down the back. It is surrounded by three protective membranes and is enclosed within the bones of the spine (vertebrae). It carries important messages between the brain and the rest of the body.
In 2024, around 25,400 new cancers of the brain or spinal cord are expected to be diagnosed in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Spinal cancer is a relatively rare condition, with about 1 in 140 men and 1 in 180 women developing the disease in their lifetime. Brain tumors are more common than spinal tumors.
Primary spinal cord or column tumors are tumors that form from cells within the spinal cord itself or from its surrounding structures. Most tumors of the spine are metastatic tumors, which spread to the spine from another part of the body. Metastatic tumors occur in the central nervous system about 10 times more frequently than primary tumors.
Diagnosing spinal cancer is a complex process that often involves an angiography, a nuclear medicine bone scan, lumbar puncture and/or other imaging tests. At City of Hope, our spinal cancer experts have training and experience in diagnosing, staging and treating all stages of the disease. They work with a multidisciplinary team of doctors and clinicians, and with each patient, to develop a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to the patient’s individual needs. That plan also includes supportive care therapies designed to help manage the side effects of cancer and its treatment, so you are better able to stay on your treatment plan without interruption and get back to your life.
This overview will cover the basic facts about spinal cancer, including:
If you believe you may be experiencing symptoms of spinal cancer and want to schedule an appointment for diagnostic testing, or if you’re interested in a second opinion on your spinal cancer diagnosis and treatment plan, call us or chat online with a member of our team.
The causes of spinal tumors are still largely unknown. Although some genetic conditions may contribute to the development of spinal cancer, the risk factors are much less defined for spinal cancer than for other forms of cancer.
Known risk factors for spine cancer include:
There is no clear picture of any group of individuals more at risk for spinal cancer, other than statistics that show men are diagnosed with the disease at a slightly higher rate than women. Having some hereditary diseases, a compromised immune system, previous radiation therapy or exposure to some chemicals may increase the risk of developing spinal cancer.
"There is so much more to the experience of City of Hope than just the treatment. Some people have asked me why I travel for treatment, why I don’t just go somewhere local. Doesn’t it make life complicated? No, it doesn’t. City of Hope takes the worry away. Scheduling, appointments, all of these details are taken care of. My response when people ask me about the inconvenience of traveling for treatment is that all I need to do is get there and get myself home. City of Hope takes care of everything else."
Most tumors on the spine metastasize to the spine from elsewhere in the body.
Cancers that appear in the central nervous system as primary spinal tumors may include:
Many spinal tumors are benign (non-cancerous), but they may also cause serious problems as they grow and put pressure on spinal tissue and nerves. Common types of benign tumors of the spine include ependymomas, astrocytomas, meningiomas, schwannomas and hemangioblastomas.
Spinal cancer tumors are sometimes divided into the four regions where they may occur:
The most noticeable sign of spinal cancer is pain. Pain may come from the tumor’s location in the spinal column, as it pushes on sensitive nerve endings or causes spinal instability.
When the tumor presses on the spinal cord, symptoms may begin with numbness or tingling in the arms or legs. Next, spinal cancer patients may experience clumsiness, an unease from not knowing where their feet are, and difficulty with buttons or keys. Spinal cancer symptoms may grow to include weakness, inability to move the legs and, potentially, paralysis.
Some common signs of spinal tumors may include:
Tests and tools for diagnosing spinal cancer may include:
Treatment options for spinal cancer may include:
Treatments for spinal cancer vary widely, depending on factors such as the location and extent of the disease. At City of Hope, we understand that supporting your strength, stamina and nutritional balance throughout treatment is important to your recovery. That’s why we offer a range of supportive care therapies designed to manage the side effects of spinal cancer and its treatment—conditions like pain, nausea and limited mobility.
Our interventional radiology team may suggest a minimally invasive treatment to help manage pain and complications, as well as help alleviate a variety of treatment-related side effects. Our oncology rehabilitation therapists are also available to work with you to design specific programs that include range-of-motion training and light-resistance exercises, along with manual manipulation, especially if mobility is an issue.
You may also meet with a registered dietitian to develop a nutrition plan focused around foods that will support your digestive balance and get you the nutrients you need throughout treatment.
Supportive care therapies that may be recommended to help spinal cancer patients stay strong and maintain their quality of life include:
