Spinal Cord Tumor Types

Spinal cord tumors are abnormal growths of cells that form on or near the spinal cord. They can affect the spinal cord directly, or compress the cord from outside. The tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). The most common type of tumors are meningiomas, which usually form on the outer surface of the spinal cord. Other types of spinal cord tumors include ependymomas, which grow from the inner lining of the spinal cord, and schwannomas, which form from a sheath of nerve cells. Depending on the type and location of the tumor, treatment may involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these methods. Spinal cord tumors require careful monitoring and management, as they may cause permanent nerve damage and other complications.