Medical expert of the article
New publications
Sarcoma of the spinal cord
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Sarcoma of the spinal cord is a rare, but actual for today, disease. The spinal cord is an organ that is a kind of continuation of the brain and refers to the central nervous system. The spinal cord is located in the spinal canal, formed by the arcs of the vertebrae. The organ fills the spinal canal, lasts up to 3 vertebrae and passes into the spinal cord.
The spinal cord performs a conductive and reflex function, that is, it ensures the movement of the body and the contraction of the muscles. The body regulates the work of the heart, stomach and other internal organs. With sarcoma of the spinal cord, localization of the tumor and what segments of the brain it squeezes are of great importance. Sarcomas can be primary and appear as a result of metastasis of other tumor sites.
Most patients suffer intradural, that is, extramedullary tumors of the spinal cord. As a rule, these are neurofibromas and meningiomas. Intramedullary malignant lesions occur in the substance itself of the spinal cord, they account for about 5% of all tumors of the spinal cord. The remaining 95% are glioma tumors, that is, of glial tissue - astrocytomas and ependymomas.
[Causes of spinal cord sarcoma
The causes of the appearance of sarcomas of the spinal cord are not established, but there are a number of factors that are predisposing to the onset of malignant tumors. The disease is affected by radiation, but it does not matter, with a therapeutic purpose it is used or was a coincidence. The work associated with radiomagnetic radiation, some gases and substances, also affect the appearance of the sarcoma of the spinal cord. Hereditary diseases and syndromes, increase the risk of malignant tumors.
Symptoms of spinal cord sarcoma
The symptomatology of the spinal cord sarcoma is as diverse as the body functions themselves, which controls the spinal cord. The main symptomatology is manifested due to mechanical compression of the sarcoma of the nerve endings and blood vessels of the spinal cord. The patient feels pulling and shooting pains in the region of the spine, which increase in the supine position and decrease in the standing position.
Further symptoms depend on the location of the tumor. The patient may have severe pain, movement disorders, a violation of sensitivity in the area of the clavicle, neck, lower and upper extremities. Because of the rapid growth of the tumor, there are violations of defecation and urination. A visual symptom of the spinal cord sarcoma is changes in the shape of the roots of the vertebral arches and an increase in the distance between them, which can be clearly seen during X-rays.
Treatment of spinal cord sarcoma
Treatment of the sarcoma of the spinal cord is carried out by several methods, but the most effective is considered surgical. Conservative treatment is carried out by the introduction of analgesic and restorative drugs. This allows you to reduce the pain syndrome. But the effect of such treatment is short, that is, remissions are incomplete.
If the sarcoma of the spinal cord grows rapidly, radiotherapy is used to delay its growth. Success is enjoyed by the cyber knife - radiation treatment of the tumor. The advantage of this type of therapy is that it is performed by a non-invasive method and allows to achieve full recovery.