Spinal tumours

Tumours (or cancer) can spread from other organs to the spine.  This may be treatable using chemotherapy or radiation therapy.  However, if it is causing severe pain or vertebral collapse, it may be suitable to consider surgical intervention such as kyphoplasty or stabilisation.  Full assessment and discussion between the patient, oncologist, and surgeon is essential to plan the optimum treatment.  Metastatic spinal cord compression may result if the tumour starts to press on the spinal cord, and this should be treated as an emergency.