The spine is made up of different types of tissues that extend from the base of your neck to your tailbone. The parts of the spine include your neck, upper back, middle back, lower back, and bottom of your spine. Benign or malignant spinal tumors can form anywhere in these areas.

Benign spinal tumors are non-cancerous growths that develop within the spinal cord, spinal canal, or the bones of the spine, called the vertebrae. They can develop from diverse types of cells. Common benign spinal tumors include meningiomas, which come from protective tissues around the spinal cord, and schwannomas, which form from cells that cover nerves.

Although they're not cancerous, benign tumors can cause problems by pressing on the spinal cord or nearby nerves. This pressure can lead to symptoms like back pain, weakness, or tingling sensations.

Malignant spinal tumors are cancerous growths that develop in the spine. They’re made up of cells that can grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body, a process called metastasis. These tumors can originate from various types of cells in the spine, including bone cells, nerve cells, or supporting tissues.

There are two main types of malignant spinal tumors:

• Tumors that start in the spine: Called primary spinal cord tumors, these can grow from several types of cells in the spinal cord. Examples include gliomas, which come from the supportive cells of the nervous system, or ependymomas, which form from cells lining the spinal cord.
• Tumors that spread to the spine: Called metastatic spinal tumors, these come from cancer that started somewhere else in the body and then traveled to the spine. Examples include breast, lung, prostate, and kidney cancers. Metastatic spinal tumors are more common than primary spinal tumors.

Malignant spinal tumors can cause problems like back pain, weakness, or trouble walking. If not treated, they can press on the spinal cord or nerves, which can lead to neurological issues. Early detection and prompt treatment are important for managing malignant spinal tumors and improving outcomes. Talk with your Penn Medicine provider for more information.

Spinal tumors are categorized based on the location of the tumor. Tumors in the outermost area (dura) of the membrane that protects the spinal cord are called extradural tumors, or epidural tumors. Tumors that originate from inside the dura are called intradural tumors. They may involve the spinal cord, but not in all cases. Lastly, intradural tumors that grow within the spinal cord are called intramedullary tumors.

Tumors inside the cervical spinal cord or neck are often benign. Types of spinal cord tumors include:

• Astrocytoma
• Ependymoma
• Hemangioblastoma

Tumors that involve the bones of the spinal column are usually metastatic. Types of spinal column tumors include:

• Chordoma
• Chondrosarcoma
• Epidural hemangioma
• Ewing sarcoma
• Giant cell tumor
• Lipoma
• Nerve sheath tumor
• Osteoid osteoma
• Osteoblastoma