Fig 1: MRI Scan of a Tumor at L4
(larger view)

Spinal tumors and back pain

By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD
February 28, 2001

Most spinal column tumors have spread from another area of the body (metastatic), with the majority originally coming from tumors in the breast, prostate, kidney, lung or thyroid. These malignant tumors usually produce pain that does not diminish with rest, and the nighttime pain may be worse than daytime pain. The tumors are usually associated with other symptoms such as loss of appetite, unplanned weight loss, nausea and vomiting, or fever/chills/shakes. This type of tumor tends to occur in older adults. Often, the patient already has a known primary tumor in another part of the body (see Figure 1).

Primary tumors (non-metastatic) of the spinal column are very rare. Primary tumors tend to occur in younger adults. If the tumor causes a fracture in the spine or leads to neurological problems, surgery is usually needed to stabilize the spine. If the tumor causes back pain only, and is sensitive to radiation, radiation therapy can often diminish the pain without surgery.

Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD
February 28, 2001