Spine Cancer Tumor Center Specialists in New Jersey

Cancer is a malignant tumor characterized by uncontrollable growth. When it develops in the spine, it can cause spinal deformity and severe neurological symptoms. Being diagnosed with cancer within the spine can be frightening, but under the care of the right specialist, patients can have a good prognosis.

Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics (CNSO) features a qualified team of specialists including neurosurgeons, orthopedic spine surgeons, interventional pain management physicians, physiatrists, rehabilitation specialists, and certified physical therapists. They provide comprehensive, all-inclusive care for cancer patients in northern New Jersey, delivering positive health outcomes and peace of mind.

What Is Spinal Cancer?

Several components make up the human spine. At its center is the spinal cord, a bundle of nerve tissue that relays information between the body and the brain. This information is vital for processing sensory input and controlling motor functions. Surrounding the spinal cord is an interlocking column of bones, called vertebrae, which provide protection and support.

Spine cancer is a malignant, or fast-growing, tumor that forms in spinal tissue. Because there are multiple types of tissue present in the spine, there are multiple types of spine cancer. Tumors found in the spine include:

• Chondrosarcoma: This is a bone cancer that forms in cartilage.
• Chordoma: This bone cancer occurs at the base of the skull or in the sacrum (tailbone).
• Ewing sarcoma: This occurs when bone cancer also affects surrounding soft tissue.
• Osteosarcoma: This bone cancer forms in the cells that generate new bone tissue.
• Neurofibroma: This is a benign (non-cancerous) tumor that forms in spinal cord nerves.
• Schwannoma: This type of tumor forms in nerve fiber sheaths.
• Astrocytoma: This tumor forms in cells that support nerve tissue.
• Glioblastoma: This is an aggressive cancer that forms in cells that support nerve tissue.
• Meningioma: This kind of tumor forms in the meninges, which cover the spinal cord.
• Ependymoma: This is a tumor that forms in spinal fluid passageways.
• Lymphoma: This occurs when cancer forms in immune system cells.
• Multiple myeloma: This is a blood cancer that affects blood plasma.
• Hemangioblastoma: This blood cancer affects vessels connected to the nervous system.

Most spinal tumors are benign, meaning they grow slowly and are non-cancerous. However, any type of benign tumor has a chance of becoming cancerous. Malignant or fast-growing tumors destroy large amounts of healthy tissue, causing severe symptoms and long-term health consequences if not treated by a skilled specialist.

What Are Spinal Cancer Symptoms?

As spinal cancer grows, it crowds out surrounding healthy cells. This crowding presses against nerves in and near the spinal cord. Nerves may become compressed, interfering with normal function, or they may be destroyed completely. The damage results in a variety of symptoms depending on where in the spine the tumor is located. Patients may experience:

• Back pain, particularly pain that is persistent at night and does not respond to medication
• Tingling sensations in the arms, legs, or chest
• Numbness or loss of sensation in the arms, legs, or chest
• Muscle spasms or twitching, which may interfere with coordination
• Muscle weakness in the arms, legs, or chest
• Difficulty walking
• Bladder or bowel incompetence
• Partial or complete paralysis in parts of the body
• Spinal deformities like scoliosis or kyphosis

Many of these are symptoms of several different conditions and are not sure signs of cancer. No matter the cause, however, neurological conditions are serious. Individuals experiencing any of the signs listed above should consult with a specialist for a medical diagnosis.

Causes and Risk Factors for Spinal Cancer

All cells in the human body contain DNA: a specialized protein structure that contains instructions for cell replication. Healthy cells reproduce at a consistent rate balanced against the rate of cell death. This ensures that the body maintains the appropriate number of functioning cells.

Cancer occurs due to a sudden change in cell DNA. Instead of creating new cells at a balanced pace, the new instructions tell cells to multiply quickly. The rate of replication exceeds the rate of cell death, creating an abnormal mass that does not stop expanding. The problematic DNA can also spread into nearby cells and tissues, causing those to start replicating aggressively as well.

Scientists are not yet sure what causes spinal cancer. It occurs most frequently in older adults and is more common in men than women. Individuals with a personal or familial history of cancer are more likely to develop new cases. Exposure to radiation and certain chemicals, including industrial chemicals, may also create a higher risk of developing cancer.

How Is Spinal Cancer Diagnosed?

When patients are referred to CNSO, the experienced team of neurosurgeons and spine specialists start with a comprehensive review of the patient’s health and medical history. This will highlight co-occurring conditions that may impact a chosen care plan. This review is followed by a series of diagnostic tests to identify the tumor and determine its location and size. Diagnostic tests for spinal cancer include:

• Neurological exam: This is a type of physical exam designed to check for signs of neurological damage. The physician instructs the patient to perform tasks related to vision, hearing, balance, strength, and coordination, to determine whether any of these areas are affected.
• Imaging tests: Medical imaging technology is frequently used to locate a tumor. X-rays are the most common. A contrast dye may be injected before the test to produce more detailed images. CNSO may also use computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) scans to detect spinal cancer.
• Lumbar puncture: Also called a spinal tap, this test involves taking a sample of cerebrospinal fluid using a needle. It is then sent to a laboratory where it can be tested for cancer cells and other signs of a tumor.

How Is Spinal Cancer Graded?

Cancer is typically assessed based on a staging system that measures how far it has spread. Primary spinal tumors, however, very rarely spread beyond the spine. Because of this, spinal cancer is typically graded rather than staged. This scale is based on how abnormal cancer cells appear under a microscope. It provides a more appropriate metric, allowing CNSO doctors to match their care plan to the individual patient’s needs. The grades of spinal tumors are:

• Grade I: This slow-growing tumor has cells resembling those of a benign tumor. It has not spread into nearby tissues and may be easy to remove with surgery.
• Grade II: This slow-growing tumor contains some abnormal cells. It may spread to nearby tissue, making surgical treatments more challenging.
• Grade III: This malignant tumor looks quite different from normal cells. It grows quickly and has a high likelihood of spreading to nearby tissue.
• Grade IV: This malignant tumor does not resemble normal cells at all. It grows extremely quickly and either will or has already spread to nearby tissue.
• Metastasized: Also called a secondary tumor, this tumor has spread to the spine from another area of the body such as the lungs, breast, blood, bones, or lymphatic system.

Cancer grading is not static. As tumors grow and change, they may move from one grade to another. Careful monitoring is necessary to detect changes and adjust the treatment plan accordingly.

Treatments for Spinal Cancer

When treating patients for spine cancer, the goal is to remove as much of the tumor as possible. CNSO achieves this goal through multiple methods, following a conservative treatment philosophy that prioritizes evidence-driven, minimally invasive treatments whenever possible. Treatment approaches are decided based on the tumor’s size and aggression, the risk of damage to nearby nerve tissue, and the patient’s overall health. Possible methods include:

Surgery

Spine surgery is the first recommended treatment for spinal cancer. The surgeon makes an incision on the front, side, or back of the patient’s body to expose the spine. A decompression treatment may be used to make the tumor accessible. The surgeon then removes as much of the tumor as possible before replacing any damaged bone with a graft. High-frequency sound waves may also be used to break down the tumor. At every stage, CNSO surgeons use the most advanced equipment for the best results.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses focused radiation to destroy cancer cells. The patient lies down on the table while the radiologist aims a high-powered X-ray or photon beam at the tumor. The beam breaks down cancer cells while causing minimal harm to healthy tissue. This technique is often used after surgery, sometimes in combination with chemotherapy, to destroy cancer cells that could not be removed. It may also be used as a substitute in cases where surgery is not recommended.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is another non-invasive approach to cancer treatment. It uses strong medicines, which are administered via pills or an injection. The medicine attacks and kills cancer cells in the spine and elsewhere, making it a preferred treatment for metastasizing cancer that has spread to multiple areas of the body. Chemotherapy is frequently used to break down tumors before surgery, making them easier to remove. It may also be used after surgery to kill any cells the surgeon could not safely extract.

Corticosteroids

Spine cancer, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy can all cause inflammation or swelling, resulting in persistent back pain. To provide pain relief, CNSO pain management specialists administer corticosteroid injections. Corticosteroids are a fast-acting medication that combats swelling, reducing the patient’s discomfort. This treatment approach cannot cure cancer directly. It can, however, help patients manage symptoms and improve their quality of life while they undergo other treatments.

Monitoring

Treating spine cancer is often a long process. Tumors do not always respond to treatment, and aggressive cancers can sometimes recur. To make sure treatment plans are effective and to stay reactive to the patient’s condition as it develops, CNSO specialists monitor the tumor at every stage. Imaging scans and other tests are used to track the treatment’s progress and the patient’s overall health condition, while also providing early warning if the cancer develops any new growth.

Find Spinal Cancer Treatment at New Jersey’s Most Comprehensive Care Facility

Spinal cancer can impact a person’s long-term health and peace of mind. The surgical and non-surgical team at Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics (CNSO) provides a solution through comprehensive and coordinated treatment. Patients work with leading board-certified neurosurgeons, orthopedic spine surgeons, interventional pain management physicians, physiatrists, rehabilitation specialists, and certified physical therapists to receive personalized care for their condition, with dedicated support at every stage from diagnosis to rehabilitation. CNSO offers multiple convenient locations across northern New Jersey, including Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Morris, and Hudson counties. To learn more about cancer treatments, contact the doctors at CNSO today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spinal Cancer

What is spinal cancer?

Spinal cancer is a fast-growing tumor in the spine. It may develop from spinal tissues, or it may have metastasized or spread into the spine from another part of the body.

What causes spinal cancer?

Cancer is caused by changes in cell DNA that cause cells to rapidly reproduce. Scientists do not yet know why this change occurs, though it may be related to old age, certain immune system disorders, or exposure to radiation or chemicals.

Who is most at risk of spinal cancer?

Anybody can develop spinal cancer. However, it is most common in older adults. It is also more common in men than in women.

What are the symptoms of spinal cancer?

Symptoms of spinal cancer depend on what nerves the tumor presses against. The most frequent indicator is a deep, aching pain that gets worse with exertion, persists at night, and may not respond to conservative pain relief. Patients may also experience:

• Tingling or numbness in the arms, chest, or back
• Muscle weakness in the arms, chest, or back
• Muscle spasms or twitches
• Difficulty walking
• Incontinence
• Changes in bowel movements
• Partial or full paralysis in parts of the body
• Spinal deformities, such as adult scoliosis

Is surgery always the treatment for spinal cancer?

The recommended treatment for spinal cancer depends on the tumor’s location and grade. Some tumors can be removed with surgery. In other cases, treatments like radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be necessary to completely kill the tumor.