In spinal tumors (synonyms: Malignant neoplasm of the columna vertebralis; Malignant neoplasm of the periosteum of the spine; Malignant neoplasm of the periosteum of the atlas; Malignant neoplasm of the periosteum of the axis; Malignant neoplasm of the periosteum of the back a.n.k.; Malignant neoplasm of the periosteum of a vertebra; Malignant neoplasm of the back bones a.n.k. ; Malignant neoplasm of atlas; Malignant neoplasm of axis; Malignant neoplasm of intervertebral disc; Malignant neoplasm of intervertebral disc; Malignant neoplasm of discus intervertebralis; Malignant neoplasm of nucleus pulposus; Malignant neoplasm of a vertebra; Chondroid chordoma of the spine; Chondrosarcoma of the cervical spine; Chondrosarcoma of a thoracic vertebral body; Chordoma of the lumbar spine; Cancer of the columna vertebralis; Sarcoma of the columna vertebralis; Vertebral sarcoma; Spinal sarcoma; ICD-10 C41. 2: Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage: spine), benign (benign) can be distinguished from malignant neoplasms (malignant neoplasms). In addition, primary tumors (originating from the spinal column) can be distinguished from metastases (daughter tumors originating from tumors of other organs/tissues).
Primary spinal tumors are rare – only about 5% of all primary skeletal tumors are found in the spine.
Approximately 75% of primary tumors of the vertebral bodies are malignant. These are usually:
- Multiple myeloma (plasmocytoma).
- Chordoma (slow and destructive growing tumors of the spine).
- Osteosarcoma (also osteogenic sarcoma; most common malignant bone tumor).
Benign primary tumors include:
- Hemangioma (blood sponge; 40% of all hemangiomas of the bony skeleton are found in the spine).
- Osteoid osteoma (tumor originating from the bone-building osteoblasts).
- Osteoblastoma (tumor originating from the bone-building osteoblasts).
- Aneurysmal cysts (aggressive, expansive growing cyst).
Sex ratio: men are more commonly affected by bone metastases than women. The ratio of men to women is 6: 4.
Frequency peak: with increasing age, bone metastases occur more frequently. The maximum incidence of spinal tumors is between the ages of 40 and 65.
Course and prognosis: Therapy depends on the type of tumor, local extension and the extent and spread of possible metastases. Benign tumors usually grow slowly and therefore cause no to few symptoms at the beginning, so that their discovery tends to be an incidental finding.
Spinal metastases distribute anatomically as follows:
- Spine/thoracic spine (70%).
- Lumbar spine / lumbar spine (20%)
- Cervical spine / cervical spine (10%)
The focus of treatment is to maintain or increase the quality of life and mobility (mobility). In addition, the pain must be reduced and neurological impairments or deficits must be prevented.
The 5-year survival rate depends on the exact tumor entity (tumor type or cancer property).
