Spinal Tumour Resection

What are spinal tumours?

A spinal tumour can develop in and around the spinal column, which includes the vertebrae, spinal cord and tissues engulfing the spinal cord. In a majority of cases, the formation of a spinal tumour may be due to a cancer metastasis-a form of cancer that travels from one particular region of the body to the spine.

A spinal tumour forms due to an accumulation of abnormal cells in or around the spinal cord and column. Typically, a spinal tumour may develop within the spinal cord, in which case it's referred to as an intradural tumour, or outside the spinal cord, whereby it's classified as an extradural tumour.

Spinal tumours can compress the surrounding nerves and spinal cord, leading to difficulty walking, weakness, and pain. As a result, this complex clinical problem requires a thorough evaluation to decide on a suitable treatment approach. Your active participation in understanding the type and location of the tumour and the use of advanced image guidance techniques is crucial for the successful execution of the treatment plan.

What is spinal tumour resection?

Spinal tumour resection is a surgical procedure to remove the spinal tumour in order to alleviate pressure, return function, and minimise the risk of further complications. Surgery is often considered for metastatic tumours or tumours resistant to chemotherapy or radiation.

Surgery brings significant relief, reduces pain and associated symptoms, preserves neurological function, and offers hope for a better quality of life. The resection often requires stabilisation and fusion to treat instability caused by the tumour or resection operation.

How do you perform spinal tumour resection?

There are several ways to perform tumour resection through the following surgical means:

• Microsurgical resection: The careful creation of an incision, enabling the resection of spinal bones, exposing the dura to reveal the spinal cord and surrounding nerves, and then safely removing the tumour.
• Posterolateral resection: A surgery performed by creating an incision in the centre of the back to prepare for the resection of the tumour and stabilise the spine.
• Enbloc resection: A one-piece surgical resection of the tumour, which is the complete resection of the tumour along with a margin of healthy, surrounding tissue.