Spinal Cord Tumor
Overview
Early diagnosis can be an important factor in the outcome of tumors in the spinal cord. Primary spinal cord tumors — tumors that originate in the spine rather than spread to the spine from elsewhere in the body — are usually benign. They are so rare that they account for only a half of one percent of all newly diagnosed tumors. 脊髓的恶性原发肿瘤更不常见.
大多数脊髓癌是转移性或继发性癌症, 这意味着它们是由癌症扩散到脊髓引起的. 可能扩散到脊柱的癌症包括 lung, breast, prostate, head and neck, gynecologic, gastrointestinal, thyroid, melanoma, renal cell carcinoma and others.
Our approach to spinal cord tumor
加州大学旧金山分校是美国最大的脊柱肿瘤治疗中心之一.S.每年治疗超过1万名患者. 我们的专家团队包括神经外科十大赌博平台排行榜, orthopedic surgeons, 肿瘤学家和放射肿瘤学家. This breadth of expertise helps us deliver the best possible outcomes for even the most difficult cases. 我们提供微创手术和非侵入性放射手术, which delivers high doses of radiation directly to tumors without damaging surrounding healthy tissue. We also provide opportunities to participate in clinical trials of possible new treatments.
Awards & recognition
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Among the top hospitals in the nation
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Best in Northern California and No. 7 in the nation for cancer care
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Best in California and No. 2 in the nation for neurology & neurosurgery
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全国最好的骨科护理之一
Signs & symptoms
脊髓内的肿瘤通常会引起可检测的症状, while spinal tumors outside of the cord may develop for some time before symptoms emerge. Common symptoms include:
- Back pain
- 腿、脚或手感到冷
- Loss of bowel control
- 丧失知觉,尤指腿部丧失知觉
- 肌肉无力,行走困难
- Muscle contractions or spasms
Diagnosis
The first test to diagnose brain and spinal column tumors is a neurological examination. Special imaging techniques such as computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) are also performed.
Laboratory tests include the electroencephalogram (EEG) and the spinal tap. A biopsy, a surgical procedure in which a sample of tissue is taken from a suspected tumor, 帮助十大赌博平台排行榜诊断肿瘤类型.
Treatments
Radiation therapy
Most patients with primary spinal cord tumors will not require radiation therapy. Radiation, however, is used to treat spinal cord compression due to metastatic cancer or cancer that has spread from other locations. Other targets of radiation include some primary cancers of the spine and more rarely, benign or low-grade spinal cord tumors that cannot be completely removed surgically.
The spinal cord is even more sensitive to the effects of radiation than the brain. Our radiation oncologists work carefully to minimize the risk of radiation-induced damage to normal spinal tissue since it can be progressive and irreversible. The thoracic spinal cord segments, 或者那些位于胸部附近的肿瘤,那里有一半的脊柱肿瘤发生, 他们对辐射的影响最敏感吗.
放射外科用一种先进的设备,叫做 CyberKnife may be an option for some patients. The CyberKnife is a painless, non-invasive threatment that delivers high doses of precisely targeted radiation to destroy tumors or lesions. Radiosurgery minimizes radiation exposure to healthy tissue surrounding the tumor.
射波刀使用机械臂来发射高度聚焦的辐射光束. 机械臂的灵活性使得治疗身体的某些部位成为可能, such as the spine and spinal cord, 这是其他放射外科技术无法治疗的.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy, similar to that used for brain tumors, may be recommended in adults for spinal gliomas that progress after surgery and radiation.
化疗是使用药物杀死癌细胞. 你的十大赌博平台排行榜可能只使用一种药物或混合使用, 通常是口服或注射到血管或肌肉中. Intrathecal chemotherapy involves injecting the drugs into the cerebrospinal fluid.
Chemotherapy is usually given in cycles: a treatment period followed by a recovery period, then another treatment period, and so on. 患者通常不需要留在十大赌博平台排行榜接受治疗. 大多数药物可以在十大赌博平台排行榜的办公室或门诊给药. However, depending on the drugs used, 给药的方式和病人的总体健康状况, 可能需要短期住院.
Surgery
While surgery is increasingly recommended for benign and malignant primary spinal cord tumors, 手术在脊柱转移中的作用, 或者癌症已经扩散到脊柱, is controversial. 影像的最新发展以及新的手术工具和技术, 如超声波吸入器和激光器, 手术作为一种干预手段的作用是否得到了显著的扩展.
用于转移性肿瘤伴脊髓压迫, some neurosurgeons may perform surgery in selected patients to relieve pressure and pain, reconstruct or stabilize the spine, 保持活动能力和肠道和膀胱功能, and to maximize quality of life. Some doctors may only recommend surgery for patients with a single metastatic tumor and no evidence of cancer growing at another site.
加州大学旧金山分校健康医学专家已经审查了这些信息. It is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or other health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your provider.
Recommended reading
Communicating with Your Doctor
The relationship with a doctor is a very personal one, built on communication and trust. 在选择十大赌博平台排行榜时,你们俩之间的“化学反应”必须起作用.
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Support services
Meditation & Guided Imagery for Cancer Patients
Drop in for a free class designed to help you heal, relax and find balance during your treatment. 十大赌博靠谱网络平台加州大学旧金山分校和非加州大学旧金山分校的患者.