Is it possible to have a tumor in your back

Spinal anatomy Open pop-up dialog box Close. Spinal anatomy The spinal anatomy of a typical adult. Email address. First Name let us know your preferred name. Last Name. Thank you for subscribing Your in-depth coping with cancer guide will be in your inbox shortly.

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Show references Spinal tumors. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Accessed Oct. Brain and spinal tumors: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Goldman L, et al. Tumors of the central nervous system. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Philadelphia, Pa.

Spinal cord compression. Merck Manual Professional Version. Brunicardi FC, et al. In: Schwartz's Principles of Surgery. New York, N. Primary malignant bone tumors. Detailed guide: Brain and spinal cord tumors in adults. Just ask Alexa. Learn How. Donate to Gateway for Cancer Research Make a difference in the fight against cancer by donating to cancer research. Donate now. Gateway for Cancer Research is a c 3 non-profit organization. Other cancer types that can cause back pain include ovarian, kidney, thyroid, and prostate cancers.

A doctor will consider your symptoms and medical history when diagnosing potential lower back pain causes. However, if pain persists after physical therapy or anti-inflammatory medications, a doctor may order imaging studies and blood testing. These tests can help identify if there are potential cancer markers that are causing the lower back pain. Medical treatments for lower back pain related to cancer depend on the type of cancer and how advanced the cancer is.

For example, sometimes a doctor will recommend surgery to remove a tumor. Other treatments may include chemotherapy and radiation to shrink a tumor. Doctors may also prescribe pain medications to help reduce the painful effects. Muscle relaxants may also help reduce the incidence of muscle spasms that can further worsen back pain. Less than 10 percent of spinal tumors actually start in the spine, according to the Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

When cancers start to spread, this may indicate a poorer prognosis. Lower back pain has many causes, and a rare one is cancer. Spinal cancer forms when abnormal cells grow out of control in the spinal cord or the bones, tissues, fluid or nerves that comprise it, forming a tumor. A relatively rare disease, malignant tumors of the brain or spinal cord affect about 24, Americans each year. Symptoms include pain , muscle weakness, difficulty walking and paralysis. That plan also includes supportive care therapies designed to help manage the side effects of cancer and its treatment, so you are better able to stay on your treatment plan without interruption and get back to your life.

Treatments for spinal cancer vary widely, depending on factors such as the location and extent of the disease. Surgical options may include minimally invasive and more aggressive approaches.

Surgery, interventional radiology and chemotherapy may be used to treat the disease or to relieve side effects. The most common treatments for spinal cancer are:. Surgery When the tumor is limited only to one portion of the spinal column, we may perform surgery to completely remove the cancer.

For metastatic spinal tumors, we may perform the minimum surgery necessary to relieve symptoms. Chemotherapy Chemotherapy drugs may be administered orally in pill form, or injected into the vein.