Most tumors arising outside the nervous system can travel to the area surrounding the spine. These tumors can travel to the spinal bones (vertebrae), causing pain and on occasion collapse of the vertebrae. These tumors can also affect the soft tissues and spaces surrounding the spine (the epidural space) and compress the spinal cord or the spinal nerves, resulting in pain, paralysis, sensory loss, and/or loss bowel or bladder control. The treatment of epidural metastases depends on the type of tumor, number of tumors, and the amount of systemic disease.
Initial treatment can consist of:
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Surgery with local radiation therapy. Surgery is indicated if neurological damage is imminent or if the tumor type is unknown. |
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Radiation therapy alone. This is appropriate for patients without significant neurological difficulty or for those who would not be able to tolerate surgery. |
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For some types of tumors, usually those sensitive to chemotherapy such as lymphoma, chemotherapy may be an alternative to radiation therapy. |
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Radiation therapy |
Chemotherapy |
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Radiosurgery |
Neoplastic Meningitis |
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Clinical Trials |
Thalidomide |