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Spinal tumours
A guide for patients and carers
What symptoms do spinal tumours cause?
No single symptom on its own is likely to be caused by a spinal tumour, but a combination of symptoms may be. However, it is important to bear in mind that even a combination of symptoms may be due to other diseases that can be identified using a number of different tests.The more common symptoms are listed below:
Pain in or near the spine
Neckache or low backache is most likely to be due to wear and tear in the joints and discs, or indeed due to disc protrusion (slipped disc). Back pain that is not relieved by rest may be due to a tumour. Pain that radiates round the body from the back suggests nerves are affected.This sort of radiating pain can be due to a tumour, though it need not be.
Problems affecting one limb
There may be numbness, tingling or weakness and sometimes pain. However, pain spreading down a limb from the spine is a common symptom of disc protrusion (slipped disc) in the neck or the lower back. Disc protrusions are far more common than tumours.
Problems affecting both legs
Worsening numbness, tingling or weakness of the legs is a serious matter that may indicate disturbance of the spinal cord or nerves inside the spine. Sometimes this is due to a tumour pressing on the spinal cord or the nerves. Any such symptoms should always be reported to a doctor.This applies particularly to people who have had cancer diagnosed, even in the past. Occasionally, similar complaints occur affecting all four limbs, from problems in the cervical spine (neck). Disturbances of feeling affecting only the feet are more commonly due to problems with the longest nerves (peripheral neuropathy).
Problems with control of the bladder or bowels
Before bladder problems start, there is usually at least some change in feeling or weakness affecting the legs. Problems with bladder control, with either leakage of urine or difficulty in emptying the bladder, can be due to pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. It is important to discuss any bladder or bowel control problems with your doctor, particularly if sexual function or feeling between the legs is affected.
Neckache or low backache is most likely to be due to wear and tear in the joints and discs, or indeed due to disc protrusion (slipped disc). Back pain that is not relieved by rest may be due to a tumour. Pain that radiates round the body from the back suggests nerves are affected.This sort of radiating pain can be due to a tumour, though it need not be.
Problems affecting one limb
There may be numbness, tingling or weakness and sometimes pain. However, pain spreading down a limb from the spine is a common symptom of disc protrusion (slipped disc) in the neck or the lower back. Disc protrusions are far more common than tumours.
Problems affecting both legs
Worsening numbness, tingling or weakness of the legs is a serious matter that may indicate disturbance of the spinal cord or nerves inside the spine. Sometimes this is due to a tumour pressing on the spinal cord or the nerves. Any such symptoms should always be reported to a doctor.This applies particularly to people who have had cancer diagnosed, even in the past. Occasionally, similar complaints occur affecting all four limbs, from problems in the cervical spine (neck). Disturbances of feeling affecting only the feet are more commonly due to problems with the longest nerves (peripheral neuropathy).
Problems with control of the bladder or bowels
Before bladder problems start, there is usually at least some change in feeling or weakness affecting the legs. Problems with bladder control, with either leakage of urine or difficulty in emptying the bladder, can be due to pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. It is important to discuss any bladder or bowel control problems with your doctor, particularly if sexual function or feeling between the legs is affected.
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Page 3 of 11
Contents
- Introduction
- What are spinal tumours?
- What symptoms do spinal tumours cause?
- How is the diagnosis?
- How are spinal tumours treated?
- What other treatments are used?
- What is the outlook?
- What other help is available for people with spinal tumours?
- What happens when the initial treatment is over?
- Conclusion
- Other organisations that may be able to help
