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Spinal cord sarcoma
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Spinal cord sarcoma is a rare but currently relevant disease. The spinal cord is an organ that is a kind of continuation of the brain and belongs to the central nervous system. The spinal cord is located in the spinal canal formed by the vertebral arches. The organ fills the spinal canal, extends up to the 3rd vertebra and passes into the spinal thread.
The spinal cord performs conductive and reflex functions, i.e. it ensures body movement and muscle contraction. The organ regulates the work of the heart, stomach and other internal organs. In spinal cord sarcoma, the localization of the tumor and which segments of the brain it compresses are of great importance. Sarcomas can be primary and appear as a result of metastasis from other tumor foci.
Most often, patients are affected by intradural, i.e. extramedullary tumors of the spinal cord. As a rule, these are neurofibromas and meningiomas. Intramedullary malignant lesions occur in the substance of the spinal cord itself, they account for about 5% of all spinal cord tumors. The remaining 95% are glioma tumors, i.e. from glial tissue - astrocytomas and ependymomas.
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Causes of spinal cord sarcoma
The causes of spinal cord sarcomas have not been established, but there are a number of factors that predispose to the development of malignant tumors. The disease is affected by radiation, and it does not matter whether it is used for therapeutic purposes or was a coincidence. Work related to radiomagnetic radiation, some gases and substances also affect the development of spinal cord sarcomas. Hereditary diseases and syndromes increase the risk of malignant tumors.
Symptoms of spinal cord sarcoma
The symptoms of spinal cord sarcomas are as varied as the body functions that the spinal cord controls. The main symptoms are caused by mechanical compression of the nerve endings and blood vessels of the spinal cord by the sarcoma. The patient feels pulling and shooting pains in the spine, which intensify in the lying position and decrease in the standing position.
Further symptoms depend on the tumor location. The patient may experience severe pain, movement disorders, and impaired sensitivity in the collarbone, neck, lower and upper limbs. Due to the rapid growth of the tumor, there are disorders of defecation and urination. A visual symptom of spinal cord sarcoma is a change in the shape of the roots of the vertebral arches and an increase in the distance between them, which is clearly visible during radiography.
Treatment of spinal cord sarcoma
Treatment of spinal cord sarcomas is carried out by several methods, but the most effective is considered to be surgical. Conservative treatment is carried out by administering analgesic and general strengthening drugs. This helps to reduce the pain syndrome. But the effect of such treatment is short-lived, that is, remissions are incomplete.
If spinal cord sarcoma grows rapidly, then radiotherapy is used to slow its growth. Cyber-knife – radiation therapy of the tumor – is successful. The advantage of this type of therapy is that it is carried out non-invasively and allows for complete recovery.