Metastatic Cancer of the Spine

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Metastatic Cancer of the Spine

Metastatic Cancer of the Spine

Definition

Cancer is considered metastatic after it has spread to other tissues, causing new tumors to develop and grow in various parts of the body. When patients have tumors in their spine, it is possible their cancer did not originate from that location. Instead, it's likely their cancer came from somewhere else in the body. Metastasized cancer can grow in the vertebrae, near the spinal cord, or within the spinal cord itself.

Causes

Cancer cells from the original tumor travel through the blood stream or through the lymph nodes to make their way into the spine. Once there, the cells attack healthy bone and tissue and begin to form new tumors. This can cause pain and neuralgia (nerve pain) because the tumor can grow and compress spinal nerves. In other cases, the spinal bones can become cancerous and grow weak. If the bone fractures, it can cause painful bone spurs, which may also press into spinal nerves.

Symptoms

Symptoms of metastatic cancer of the spine may vary depending on the tumor's progression and location. Patients may experience limited mobility or the possibility of paralysis if it's left untreated. Patients may also lose the ability to control his or her bowel and bladder. Cancer within the spine may leave patients with a dull ache in the back or shooting pain down the limbs.

Treatments

An oncologist can help patients get the cancer treatment they need in the form of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and more. However, treating cancer is not just about medicine; it’s also about quality of life. Patients experiencing cancer pain can come to Tulsa Pain Consultants for back pain treatment that is safe to use while undergoing cancer treatment. We offer a number of alternative therapies to not only treat pain but to also relieve stresses that come with being a cancer patient. We can also offer medication to reduce any inflammation that may be compressing spinal nerves. We can also administer nerve blocks to damaged spinal nerves to prevent them from sending pain signals to the brain. Our physicians will work with your primary care physician and oncologists to ensure a quality continuum of care.

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