|
Spinal tumours
A guide for patients and carers
Download this booklet in PDF format (1426kb)
Names of spinal tumours
There are several different types of spinal tumours. The names of specific tumours tend to be based on the type of cell that is growing abnormally or their particular location in the spine.
For example, gliomas grow from glial cells and, more specifically, astrocyticgliomas (astrocytomas) grow from a particular glial cell called astrocytes (‘star-shaped’ cells).
For example, gliomas grow from glial cells and, more specifically, astrocyticgliomas (astrocytomas) grow from a particular glial cell called astrocytes (‘star-shaped’ cells).
Examples of the names of specific tumours include
Names of spinal cord gliomas (intramedullary tumours) include
Sometimes the term "spinal lesion" is used by doctors when the exact nature of an identified abnormality in the spine is not yet known. Although a tumour might be suspected, a spinal lesion could turn out to be caused by another problem such as an abscess, bleeding or an infection.
- chordomas (in the bone),
- extradural tumours such as
- myelomas,
- neurofibromas and
- lymphomas, and
- intradural tumours such as
- meningiomas,
- schwannomas, and
- ependymomas.
Names of spinal cord gliomas (intramedullary tumours) include
- astrocytomas and
- ependymomas.
Spinal lesions
Sometimes the term "spinal lesion" is used by doctors when the exact nature of an identified abnormality in the spine is not yet known. Although a tumour might be suspected, a spinal lesion could turn out to be caused by another problem such as an abscess, bleeding or an infection.
|
Page 3 of 13
