How are spinal tumours treated?
Biopsy If done by needle, local anaesthetic may be all that is required, depending on the location and the size of the lesion. Either X-ray equipment is used for guidance of the needle, or a CT scanner may be used. It usually has to be done whilst lying face down. Some people find this procedure rather uncomfortable. An open surgical biopsy is carried out under general anaesthetic and involves making a small cut, typically over the back of the spine. Removal of a small amount of bone is usually all that is necessary to obtain a suitable sample of the tumour. Biopsy results take a few working days before answers become available. Surgical removal Surgical removal is used for benign tumours, for example those within the membranes surrounding the spinal cord and nerves and at least some malignant tumours, e.g. chordoma. Often benign tumours can be removed completely in this way, but not always. In some circumstances, it is safer to leave a small fragment behind than to risk serious damage
