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Spinal tumours
A guide for patients and carers
Download this booklet in PDF format (1426kb)
Recovery
The extent of the recovery you might make will depend on factors such as the nature of the underlying condition causing your spinal tumour and whether you are experiencing severe symptoms like paralysis.
The effectiveness of your treatment is important and this is easier to assess for benign tumours than for malignant tumours. Malignant spinal tumours are often more difficult to treat. Each individual’s chance of recovery is often determined by the specific type of tumour they have and to what extent the cancer has spread in their spines.
It is often possible to remove benign spinal tumours completely with surgery. Some malignant tumours might also be removed completely. This is more likely to be possible with primary malignant tumours than with secondary malignant tumours. Successfully removing all of a tumour increases the chance of a good or full recovery and reduces the risk of the tumour recurring.
Secondary malignant tumours are difficult to treat. The extent of possible recoveries and longer-term outlooks for individuals will depend on the type of cancer they have elsewhere in their body, how far this cancer has spread, and how effective the treatment on the secondary tumours in the spine has been. The specialist team treating the primary cancer will often take on the responsibility for the treatment of secondary spinal tumours.
The spinal cord and nerves are often slow to recover if severely compressed and badly damaged. Most people find that the longer they experience complete paralysis, the less likely recovery of feeling and movement becomes.
People often experience tiredness or fatigue (severe tiredness) after serious illness, especially if they have undergone surgery, or treatments like radiotherapy and chemotherapy. For some people this will pass after a few weeks. However, people with spinal tumours can experience longer-term fatigue.
You might find that you become exhausted even after commonplace activities like getting washed and dressed, going to the shops, watching television, or talking with friends. Taking regular breaks can help. Try to do this at least three times a day for around 20-30 minutes. Listening to your favourite music might be helpful, but try to avoid anything too stimulating like watching television or reading.
It can help to have a daily routine. Try to get up and go to bed at regular times each day. Plan some relaxation breaks during the day. If you return to work, you could talk to your employer about the possibility of being given time for some extra breaks during the working day.
There are a number of organisations that help people affected by spinal tumours and other forms of cancer. The most well known are the Macmillan Cancer Support teams and the Hospice Movement.
These services are available throughout the country. They deal mainly with people affected by malignant tumours. If you feel that you might need the type of support they offer, you can discuss this with your GP or the specialist team looking after you.
If you are feeling depressed or worried while staying in hospital or attending an outpatient appointment, you should feel free to speak to the specialist cancer nurse attached to your medical team. The specialist nurse might be available to offer counselling, support and advice.
If you are having, or think you might have, financial problems because of the impact on your ability to work, you might be eligible for several different payments. It is likely that a social worker is attached to the unit where you are receiving your treatment. Whatever your situation, it could be helpful to talk to them as soon as possible. It might also be helpful to talk to your local Citizens Advice Bureau for advice on what financial support is available to you.
It is often possible to remove benign spinal tumours completely with surgery. Some malignant tumours might also be removed completely. This is more likely to be possible with primary malignant tumours than with secondary malignant tumours. Successfully removing all of a tumour increases the chance of a good or full recovery and reduces the risk of the tumour recurring.
Secondary malignant tumours are difficult to treat. The extent of possible recoveries and longer-term outlooks for individuals will depend on the type of cancer they have elsewhere in their body, how far this cancer has spread, and how effective the treatment on the secondary tumours in the spine has been. The specialist team treating the primary cancer will often take on the responsibility for the treatment of secondary spinal tumours.
The spinal cord and nerves are often slow to recover if severely compressed and badly damaged. Most people find that the longer they experience complete paralysis, the less likely recovery of feeling and movement becomes.
Fatigue
People often experience tiredness or fatigue (severe tiredness) after serious illness, especially if they have undergone surgery, or treatments like radiotherapy and chemotherapy. For some people this will pass after a few weeks. However, people with spinal tumours can experience longer-term fatigue.
You might find that you become exhausted even after commonplace activities like getting washed and dressed, going to the shops, watching television, or talking with friends. Taking regular breaks can help. Try to do this at least three times a day for around 20-30 minutes. Listening to your favourite music might be helpful, but try to avoid anything too stimulating like watching television or reading.
It can help to have a daily routine. Try to get up and go to bed at regular times each day. Plan some relaxation breaks during the day. If you return to work, you could talk to your employer about the possibility of being given time for some extra breaks during the working day.
Practical support
There are a number of organisations that help people affected by spinal tumours and other forms of cancer. The most well known are the Macmillan Cancer Support teams and the Hospice Movement.
These services are available throughout the country. They deal mainly with people affected by malignant tumours. If you feel that you might need the type of support they offer, you can discuss this with your GP or the specialist team looking after you.
If you are feeling depressed or worried while staying in hospital or attending an outpatient appointment, you should feel free to speak to the specialist cancer nurse attached to your medical team. The specialist nurse might be available to offer counselling, support and advice.
If you are having, or think you might have, financial problems because of the impact on your ability to work, you might be eligible for several different payments. It is likely that a social worker is attached to the unit where you are receiving your treatment. Whatever your situation, it could be helpful to talk to them as soon as possible. It might also be helpful to talk to your local Citizens Advice Bureau for advice on what financial support is available to you.
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