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Spinal tumors, whether malignant (cancerous) or benign (noncancerous) have the potential to cause serious problems for mobility and quality of life.
At Advanced Neurosurgery, our minimally invasive spine surgery specialists offer full-spectrum care for spine tumors in Reno and Carson City, Nevada.
From spine tumor resections to nonsurgical approaches and monitoring, our dedicated team helps patients manage spinal tumors in the way that works best for their needs.
Our patients deserve to understand their condition and treatment options in detail. Here’s what you need to know:
Understanding spinal tumors
A spinal tumor occurs when an abnormal growth forms within or near the spinal cord or vertebrae. About 8 in 10 spinal tumors are benign (noncancerous), with the remaining two representing a malignancy (cancer.)
Spinal tumors can cause significant health challenges, depending on their size and location. At Advanced Neurosurgery, our specialists use the most advanced techniques to diagnose and treat spinal tumors. We’re dedicated to providing the care and expertise you need to manage this serious condition.
Signs of a spinal tumor
Spinal tumors often present with symptoms that are easy to dismiss or confuse with other conditions. If you’re experiencing any of the following signs, it’s important to consult a specialist:
Back pain
This pain may worsen at night or with movement and doesn’t improve with typical treatments like rest or over-the-counter medication.
Numbness
A loss of sensation in your arms or legs can point to spinal cord compression caused by a tumor.
Weakness
Like numbness, weakness in an arm or leg could indicate that a spinal tumor is pressuring nerve roots, which disrupts normal brain-nerve signaling to cause weakness. This may present symptoms such as difficulty grasping objects, lifting your arm, standing, or walking.
Balance and coordination issues
Just as spinal tumors can cause numbness and weakness, their pressure on the delicate spinal nerves can prevent normal nerve signaling needed for coordination and balance. Therefore, if you have a spinal tumor, you may experience stumbling, an increase in falls, or trouble coordinating movements.
Bladder or bowel problems
Sometimes, spinal tumors may affect the nerves involved in urination and bowel movements, potentially leading to urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, or both.
These only cover some of the signs of spinal tumors. You may experience other problems, such as muscle twitching or unexplained weight loss.
When to reach out for help
If your symptoms persist and interfere with your daily life, call our experts at Advanced Neurosurgery. Spinal tumors can progress and lead to severe complications if untreated. The earlier you act, the more options you’ll have for effective treatment.
Our experienced physicians are spinal tumor management experts. We may recommend monitoring, surgical tumor removal or reduction, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or rehabilitation based on your unique needs. Our goal is to make your quality of life better as we work alongside you to do so.
If you’re experiencing symptoms that may concern you, contact Advanced Neurosurgery at 775-312-8120 to book your appointment in Reno or Carson City, Nevada, now.