Intradural Tumors

Intradural tumors, also called spinal cord tumors, are growths of cells that form in or around the spinal cord, the group of nerves that carries messages from the brain to the rest of the body. The bones of the spine surround and protect the spinal cord, so these tumors are also surrounded by the spinal bones.

Most intradural tumors are not cancers. There are two overarching types of intradural tumors 1) intramedullary tumors that develop in the cells of the spinal cord and 2) extramedullary tumors that develop in the tissues around the spinal cord.

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Symptoms of intradural tumors

You may not experience any symptoms of an intradural tumor at first. When symptoms start, it usually means the tumor has grown and is hurting nearby nerves, causing symptoms in both the area around the tumor and in other parts of the body that the nerves reach.

Symptoms in the spine might include:

Pain near the location of the tumor
Pain that worsens at night
Shooting pain that extends from the back into other areas of the body
Pain that worsens over time

Symptoms from tumors that have grown to affect the nearby nerves might include:

Changes in feeling in one part of the body, like a new lack of sensitivity to pain or changes in temperature
Loss of bowel or bladder function
Muscle weakness in one part of the body
Trouble walking

Treatment

Treatment for intradural tumors typically involves surgery, but may also include radiation or chemotherapy.

1 / Monitoring

Some tumors that are small and are not cancerous may not require immediate treatment. In these cases, your healthcare team will watch the tumor closely through regular imaging tests to see if there are any signs of tumor growth.

2 / Surgical treatment

Surgery is the main treatment for intradural tumors. The goal of surgery is to completely remove the tumor. Your surgeon can track the function of your nerves during the surgery, which can lower the risk of harming the surrounding nerves.

Not all tumors can be completely removed during surgery. If that happens, your surgeon will remove as much of the tumor as possible and then suggest other treatments after surgery.

2 / Radiation or chemotherapy

Radiation therapy treats tumors using powerful energy beams. Chemotherapy treats tumors using strong medicines that either come in pill form or are injected. Chemotherapy does not work for all types of intradural tumors.

Either radiation or chemotherapy might be used after surgery to help kill any part of the tumor that remains.

Coping and support

It can be scary or overwhelming to learn that you have a tumor. Consider taking steps to cope with your diagnosis and build support by:

Find out all you can about your intradural tumor. Write down all of the questions you have and bring your list to appointments. You can ask your care team your questions and take notes or invite a friend or family member to join you and take notes. The more you and your loved ones understand about your diagnosis and treatment plan, the better you'll feel as we move forward with your care.
Get support. Share your feelings and concerns with someone you love who is a good listener and will support you. Other people who have spinal cord tumors may have unique insights and be better able to understand your situation. Ask your provider about local support groups.
Take care of yourself. Eating a healthy diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, and grains, can help you maintain your strength during treatment. Allow yourself opportunities to rest and relax when you need.

Why choose University of Utah Neurosurgery Spine Group?

We are the destination for complex spine patients in the Mountain West. Our spine surgeons perform a high volume of procedures each year, and are both experienced and successful. We also publish our research findings for other physicians and surgeons to learn.

With the University of Utah Health Neurosurgery Spine Group, you will receive care from an experienced team of experts who are national leaders in spine surgery and who train residents, fellows, and other physicians.