When a tumor develops in your brain or spine, a large or fast-growing benign tumor is just as threatening as a malignant mass, which is why you need quick attention by an expert in the field like Ripul Panchal, DO, at American Neurospine Institute, PLLC. Dr. Panchal offers years of experience, excellent training in today’s most advanced technologies, and the exceptional surgical skill needed to eliminate tumors without harming the surrounding tissues. If you need treatment for a tumor, call the office in Frisco, Texas, or schedule an appointment online.

Tumor Q & A

Where do spine and brain tumors originate?

The origination of brain and spine tumors is defined by two categories:

Primary tumors

Primary tumors originate in the brain and spine, where they may be benign or malignant. These tumors seldom spread beyond the central nervous system, however, they can invade and destroy brain and spinal tissues.

Secondary tumors

Secondary tumors are caused by metastatic disease, developing when cancer that originates in another part of your body spreads to the brain or spinal cord.

What are the different types of brain and spinal cord tumors?

There are too many different types of tumors to provide a complete list here, so these are a few of the most common brain and spine tumors:

Gliomas

Gliomas are the most common type of adult brain tumor, representing 78% of all malignant brain tumors.

Meningiomas

Meningiomas, which are usually benign, represent 10-15% of all brain tumors diagnosed in adults.

Schwannomas

These are benign tumors that grow along nerve cells.

Ependymomas

Ependymomas are malignant tumors responsible for 2-3% of all brain tumors.

Intradural-extramedullary tumors

While the spinal cord has the same types of tumors as the brain, they’re grouped according to the location of the tumor. About 40% of spinal tumors are intradural-extramedullary, meaning they’re inside the membrane covering the spinal cord but outside the spinal cord. Meningiomas, schwannomas, and ependymomas are examples of intradural-extramedullary tumors.

What symptoms develop due to brain and spinal tumors?

The symptoms you’ll experience depend on the location and size of the tumor. They’re also different for brain and spinal cord tumors.

Brain tumor symptoms include:

  • Headaches
  • Difficulty speaking or thinking
  • Confusion
  • Seizures
  • Facial numbness or tingling
  • Dizziness or loss of balance
  • Changes in vision or hearing
  • Changes in personality

Spinal tumor symptoms include:

  • Back or neck pain
  • Pain that spreads to your hips, legs, or arms
  • Tingling and numbness in your legs or arms
  • Decreased sensitivity to pain, cold, and heat
  • Scoliosis or another spinal deformity

You may develop varying degrees of paralysis, depending on which spinal nerves are compressed.

How do you treat brain and spine tumors?

Brain and spine tumors are treated with surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy, depending on the type, size, and location of the tumor. The goal is to remove as much of the tumor as possible, curing the problem without harming healthy brain or spine tissues. When vertebrae are affected by a tumor, Dr. Panchal stabilizes pathological fractures and performs spinal decompression.

To learn more about your treatment options for tumors, call American Neurospine Institute or schedule an appointment online.