Dr. Sachin Sharma

Spinal Tumors

Spinal tumors may arise from the vertebrae, spinal cord, nerve roots or surrounding tissues. They may be primary (arising from spinal structures) or metastatic (spread from tumors elsewhere). Evaluation requires detailed imaging and, in most cases, multidisciplinary management involving oncology, neurosurgery and orthopaedics.

Types of Spinal Tumors

  • Vertebral metastases (most common) - from breast, lung, prostate, kidney, thyroid cancers
  • Primary vertebral tumors (e.g., multiple myeloma, osteosarcoma)
  • Intradural-extramedullary tumors (e.g., meningioma, schwannoma)
  • Intramedullary tumors (within the spinal cord)
  • Benign vertebral lesions (e.g., haemangioma, osteoid osteoma)

Warning Symptoms

  • New or progressive back or neck pain, especially at rest or at night
  • Pain not related to activity or posture
  • Progressive neurological weakness or numbness
  • Bladder or bowel problems
  • Known malignancy with new spinal symptoms
  • Constitutional symptoms (weight loss, fever, fatigue)

Treatment Approach

Treatment depends on the tumor type, location, neurological status and overall health of the patient. Management is typically multidisciplinary.

  • Detailed imaging (MRI, CT, PET-CT) and biopsy when indicated
  • Multidisciplinary team planning (oncology, radiation, surgery)
  • Surgical decompression and stabilization (when neurological compromise exists)
  • Tumor excision or corpectomy with reconstruction
  • Minimally invasive approaches for selected metastatic lesions
  • Cement augmentation for selected pathological fractures
  • Radiation therapy coordination (pre/post-operative)

Dr. Sachin Sharma believes that treatment should begin with an accurate diagnosis and an individualized approach. Not every patient requires surgery - non-surgical options are always considered first whenever clinically appropriate.