How to Recognize the Symptoms of a Spinal Tumor
Spinal tumors, although benign (noncancerous) in some cases, should be taken very seriously. These tumors often interfere with normal physiological functioning. If they spread, they can cause chronic back pain, difficulties in walking and even permanent neurological damage. Recognition of a spinal tumor can be scary and overwhelming for any patient. However, knowing how to spot the symptoms of a spinal tumor can increase the likelihood of proper treatment.
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Instructions
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Recognize the Symptoms of a Spinal Tumor
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Look for chronic back pain, which accounts for 80 percent of all spinal tumor occurrences. Such pain persists for several days and continues to get worse.
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Pay attention to any loss of bowel or bladder control.
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Take seriously any pain that shoots down the legs.
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Look for indicators of cancer or tumors elsewhere on the body, such as moles, bumps or lumps anywhere on the skin.
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Recognize certain risk factors, such as family history of cancer, cigarette smoking, unhealthy diet or excessive exposure to chemicals or radiation.
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Report any pain that causes lack of sleep.
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Recognize and report any numbness or weakness in the arms or legs.
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Acknowledge any loss of appetite or unexpected changes in weight.
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Seek a complete physical examination to confirm any symptoms that are detected.
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Tips & Warnings
A benign tumor is one that is noncancerous whereas a malignant tumor is cancerous.
When discussing symptoms with a physician, it is important to address all concerns and to ask questions to clear up any confusion.
Tumors that first originate in the spine (primary tumors) are relatively rare. Rather, spinal tumors usually come from tumors in other parts of the body that have spread to the spine.
Spinal tumors that are primary tend to occur in younger adults and usually grow slowly.
Spinal tumors vary in type depending on their location in the spine.
There are no known causes of spinal tumors, and no particular environments have been linked to their occurence.
While back pain is the most common symptom of a spinal tumor, back pain is a symptom that is not unique to this or any one disease, and it is usually not the first sign of a tumor. Remember to look for additional symptoms, such as those listed at Back.com (see Resources below).
Spinal tumors that go untreated could spread throughout the spine and other body parts.
