A spinal cord tumor is essentially a growth on the spine. It may develop within the spinal canal itself or within one or more of the vertebras. It may be malignant or benign. But no matter its location or its nature, the formation of a tumor within this area of the body can be very problematic, as so many nerves culminate within the spine.
Pain
With a spinal cord tumor, most people will suffer from a certain amount of pain. This pain may be solely isolated to the back, be it lower, middle or upper. But depending on the actual location of the tumor, this pain may also emanate down into the hip and leg, up into the shoulder and arm or directly into the neck. And as with any sort of pain, it could present itself as a mild, dull ache to a sharp, shooting throb.
Weakness
For some people, a spinal cord tumor can mean a loss in strength to one or more arms or legs. This is largely due to the pressure the tumor is placing on the nerves that run from the spine into these appendages. This weakness may also come with a change in sensation to these same extremities, manifesting as a numbness or lack of feeling in the arms, hands, legs and/or feet.
Mobility Disturbance
Depending on the amount of pressure the spinal cord tumor is placing on the nerves, it can start to reduce a person's capacity to move. This may lead to trouble with standing, walking, carrying or even sitting upright. Some people may notice an increased difficulty making a fist. Others may find a problem with bending their legs.
Bodily Functions
While not all people with a spinal cord tumor will experience a change in their strength or mobility, there is the potential that a growth within the spine may alter certain bodily functions. A person may begin to have some issues involving urination or bowel movements. As the tumor progresses, the person may no longer have any control over these two bodily functions.
Paralysis
There is also the possibility that a spinal cord tumor could lead to paralysis. This might not be a full paralysis, as it does depend, much like any other symptom, where the tumor is located. For some, paralysis may be isolated to one leg or one arm. Others may experience paralysis of either both legs or both arms.
Sensitivity
A tumor located in or along the spine may also cause a person to experience a decreased sensitivity to changes in temperature, as well as to pain. This decreased sensitivity can affect the back, arms, legs, hand or feet; the location of the nerve being "pinched" by the tumor determines where this desensitization takes place.
Time Frame
Most of the symptoms associated with spinal cord tumors will develop at variable rates. This is largely due to the difference in growth rates of the tumors themselves. For the most part, a benign (noncancerous) tumor causes symptoms to become present over a period of years. With a malignant (cancerous) tumor, a person will typically experience a more rapid onset of symptoms that can worsen over a short period of time.
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