About Spinal Cancer
Your spine supports your every move, and so will we if you're facing a spinal tumor diagnosis. Spine tumors and spine cancer can develop in the bones, nerves and other tissues that make up the spine. The spinal cord has bundles of very long nerve fibers that carry signals that control muscles, sensations and bladder and bowel control.
Spinal cord tumors can cause weakness, paralysis or numbness. The spinal cord is a narrow structure, so tumors within it usually cause symptoms on both sides of the body (for example, weakness or numbness of both legs). This is different from most brain tumors, which often affect only one side of the body. To learn more, read about common spinal cancer symptoms and risk factors below.
Symptoms and Risk Factors for Spinal Cancer
Spine tumors that are close to major nerves can disrupt their ability to transmit messages between the body and the brain. This can cause neurologic symptoms, including:
- Difficulty walking or balancing
- Loss of bowel and bladder control
- Sensory problems
- Weakness, tingling, or numbness in both legs or arms
We don’t yet know what exactly causes spine tumors. People with certain immune disorders or genetic conditions, such as neurofibromatosis 2, are more likely to develop spine tumors than other people.
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