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Spinal Cord Tumor

WHEN TO SEE CARE FROM A SPINE SPECIALIST

You should seek the advice of a spine specialist if neck or back pain persists for more than two weeks or if it is progressive in intensity and/or distribution. You should seek immediate healthcare attention if neck or back pain occurs as the result of an injury or if it is associated with serious illness and/or a high fever. Additional signs and symptoms that warrant prompt medical attention include:

  •      Neck or back pain associated with bowel and/or bladder dysfunction
  •      Neck or back pain associated with extremity weakness or difficulty with coordination
  •      Extremity numbness or muscle weakness
  •      Neck or back pain that is associated with impaired walking (gait) or difficulty with balance
  •      Numbness, tingling and/or muscle weakness associated with a back or neck injury

SCREENING AND DIAGNOSIS

A doctor, usually a neurologist, oncologist, or neuro-oncologist, can confirm a diagnosis of a spinal cord tumor based on a patient’s symptoms, personal and family medical history, and results of a physical exam and specialized tests and techniques.

A neurological exam—the first test—assesses movement and sensory skills, hearing and speech, reflexes, vision, coordination and balance, mental status, and changes in mood or behavior, among other abilities.  Some tests require a specialist to perform and analyze results.

Diagnostic Imaging

Spine tumors can be overlooked especially during the early stages of their development. This is because they are relatively rare and the associated signs and symptoms often resemble other spine disorders which are much more common. For these reasons, it is very important that if your spine complaints persist or progress that you seek the care of a spine specialists. It is also important that you receive a thorough history and neurological physical examination. This will help determine whether other tests are necessary.



Educational Partners

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To learn more about your spine. spinehealth, and available spinecare go to the International Spine Assocition (ISA) at www.spineinformation.org. The primary mission of the ISA is to improve spinehealth and spinecare through education. The ISA is committed to disseminating need-to-know information throught the World Wide Web in numerous languages covering many topics related to the spine, including information about spine disorders, spine heath, advances in technology and available spinecare



DISCLAIMER
All health information posted on the site is based on the latest research and national treatment standards, and have been written or reviewed and appoved by the American Acedemy of Spine Physicians and/or International Spine Association physicians or health professionals unless otherwise specified.



The information provided on this site is designed to support. not replace,
the relationship that exists between patient/site visitor and his/her physician.