What e the symptoms of spinal cord tumors?
The symptoms vary depending on the location, type of the tumor, and the general health of the person. Metastatic tumors (those that have spread to the spine from another site) often progress quickly, while primary tumors often progress slowly over weeks to years. Symptoms of spine tumors are caused by pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots. Pressure on the spinal cord may cause back pain, progressing paralysis, decreased sensation below the area compressed, impotence, and loss of bladder and bowel control. Pressure on the spinal cord may also block the blood supply to the cord, resulting in death of tissue, fluid accumulation, and swelling. Fluid accumulation may block more of the blood supply, leading to a vicious circle of damage. Pressure on spinal nerve roots can cause pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness of the muscles supplied by the compressed nerve root. Tumors originating in the spinal cord cause numbness, tingling, and weakness but may not cause pain. Symptoms may come
