"Oh dear, my back" If it's been more than 6 weeks since the pain started... it could be 'this cancer' [Health Tips]

The spinal cord is a central nervous system located within the spinal canal of our body. It is connected to the brain and consists of nerve cells and nerve fibers responsible for sensory, motor, and autonomic functions. Generally, spinal cord tumors refer to tumors that originate within the spinal cord substance. Broadly speaking, tumors that occur not only in the spinal cord but also in the structures within the spinal canal, such as the spinal meninges, spinal nerve roots, and nerve bundles at the end of the spinal cord (cauda equina), are collectively called spinal cord tumors, as they compress or invade nerve tissues.

Spinal cord tumors account for approximately 10-15% of all central nervous system tumors, including those in the brain. Based on primary spinal cord tumors, the incidence is about 2-4 cases per 100,000 people annually. Depending on the location, they are classified into intramedullary tumors, which occur within the spinal cord, and extramedullary tumors, which occur outside the spinal cord. The incidence is higher in individuals aged 40 to 60. Common types of spinal cord tumors include neurocytomas and meningiomas. Most are benign and surgically removable, so early removal can lead to a cure without nerve damage.

Spinal cord tumors have not yet been definitively linked to a specific cause. They are believed to be caused by environmental factors such as exposure to chemicals, and in some cases, cancers from other parts of the body may metastasize to the spinal cord. Genes are also thought to influence the development of spinal cord tumors. The incidence may increase in individuals with hereditary conditions such as Type II neurofibromatosis and von Hippel-Lindau disease, so patients diagnosed with these conditions, as well as their families, should exercise caution.

Spinal cord tumors exhibit various symptoms depending on their location. Intramedullary tumors, a type of intraspinal tumor, often cause back pain due to compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots or vascular occlusion. A characteristic feature is that the pain radiates not only in the lower back but also to other parts of the body. In the early stages, symptoms such as pain, sensory disturbances or deficits, muscle weakness, and muscle atrophy appear, and as the spinal cord becomes increasingly compressed, spastic paralysis, sensory loss below the lesion, and hyperreflexia are observed. If the compression becomes severe and damages the spinal cord, it can even lead to paralysis of the lower limbs or extremities. Extramedullary tumors rarely cause pain but often result in dissociated sensory disturbances, where pain and temperature sensations are lost while touch remains normal, along with severe bowel dysfunction. Compared to intramedullary tumors, spasticity is less common, but muscle atrophy is frequent. When the upper cervical region is involved, spastic paralysis and sensory changes may also occur.

Patients with spinal cord tumors often complain of symptoms similar to common spinal conditions such as disc herniation and spinal stenosis, including neck and lower back pain, as well as localized radicular pain and paralysis radiating to the arms and legs. However, a key difference is that in typical spinal conditions, pain worsens with movement of the neck or back, whereas in spinal cord tumors, pain occurs independently of body movement and can even worsen during rest at night.