Symptoms Linked To Vertebral Tumors
A vertebral tumor is a kind of tumor that affects the vertebrae or bones of the spine. Vertebral tumors can be malignant or benign. Cancerous vertebral tumors can originate in the spinal bones themselves, or they may have metastasized from another malignancy in the body. Primary vertebral tumors form and grow from the disc or bone elements of the spine. The term vertebral tumor does not refer to tumors that develop within the spinal cord components. Common malignancies that occur in the vertebrae include osteoblastoma, osteosarcomas, and osteoid osteomas. Diagnostic medical imaging tests such as MRI and CT scans are used along with a biopsy to confirm a vertebral tumor diagnosis. Treatment for a vertebral tumor depends on whether it is malignant, primary or secondary, its degree of metastasis, the severity of symptoms, as well as the patient's age and overall health. Vertebral tumors are often overlooked because they present with symptoms similar to those of numerous other conditions.