What is spinal cord tumour?
Spinal cord tumours, even though they are rare, there are different types that are found in the spinal cord. Spinal cord tumours can also be found in the nerves that come out of the spinal cord and in the layers that protect the brain and spinal cord.
The different types that are found in the spinal cord include:
- Ependymomas
- Meningiomas
- Neurofibromas
- Astrocytomas
- Hemangioblastomas
There are two grades that decipher how quickly a spinal cord tumour can grow and spread. A low grade spinal cord tumour grows quite slowly and doesn’t spread to other parts of the brain or spine. A high grade spinal cord tumour grows a lot quicker and into tissues. They can spread further down the spinal cord and into the brain.
What causes spinal cord tumour?
It is unknown what causes spinal cord tumour but it may be inherited through other types of tumours.
What are the symptoms of spinal cord tumor?
Depending on where the tumour is on the spinal cord, when there is pressure on the nerves, this can cause:
- Weak and numb legs and arms
- Difficulty walking
- Back or neck pain
- Tingling feet or hands
