Spinal Cord Tumours
40% of all cancers spread to the brain
What is a spinal cord tumour?
Strictly speaking, the definition of this type of tumour is one that has arisen from cells either inside or surrounding the spinal cord. However, some types of tumour that begin in the brain can grow down into the spinal cord – an example would be a medulloblastoma originating in the cerebellum (at the back and base of the brain) that has extended downwards.
Both children and adults can be affected by spinal cord tumours but most instances are diagnosed in adults over the age of 70.
Are spinal cord tumours cancerous?
In 75% cases they tend to be benign (not cancerous). They can also occur as a low-grade (slow-growing cancer) or a high-grade tumour (fast-growing or malignant cancer). These differences depend on the cells from which the tumour has developed, and the genetic mutations within those cells.
What is the prognosis for a spinal cord tumour?
The prognosis is entirely dependent upon the type and grade, as well as on the position, and hence the ease with which it can be removed or treated.
Please see our individual tumour type pages for more information.
How is a spinal cord tumour diagnosed?
An MRI scan is the only reliable way to identify if a tumour is present. If found, clinicians may recommend a biopsy to obtain a tissue sample for analysis in order to identify exactly what type of tumour is present.
What causes spinal cord tumours?
People who have been diagnosed with genetic conditions such as neurofibromatosis or von Hippel-Lindau syndrome have a higher risk of developing some types of spinal cord tumour: for example schwannoma and meningioma tumours may be caused by neurofibromatosis 2.
For the vast majority of people, the cause of these types of tumour is not yet clear. Read more about overall risk factors for brain tumours.
What is the treatment for a spinal cord tumour?
Treatment is dependent upon the type, grade and position of the tumour. More information can be found on our Brain Tumour Treatments page and on the information page related to each tumour type.
How will we find a cure for spinal cord tumours?
Research we are funding across all of our Centres of Excellence will help lead towards finding a cure for a wide range of brain tumours.
Page last updated in April 2019. Next review April 2020.