Spinal Tumors

Tumors in and around the spine and spinal cord aren’t as common as brain tumors, but they do occur. The majority of spinal cord tumors are found in children and young adults, but anyone can be diagnosed with a tumor at any point in their life. Both primary and secondary spinal tumors are caused by abnormal cell growth. Approximately 3,000 children are diagnosed with spinal tumors annually. In some cases, the cause may be prolonged exposure to chemicals or radiation, but it’s also possible that environmental factors and genetics play a role in a tumor’s development. For example, spine tumors can form because of neurofibromatosis, a hereditary disease that involves tumors on or near the spinal nerves. About 90% of spinal cord tumors originate in the cells next to the spinal cord, such as the spine nerve roots. Only 10% of all primary spinal cord tumors begin in the cells within the spinal cord itself.

To learn more about spinal tumors, visit our Brain and Spinal Tumor website.