Cancer of the spine is a condition when the cancerous cells are found surrounding the spinal cord. The exact cause of the cancer of the spine is known. However, studies state that it generally starts from the nerves of the spinal cord. In most cases, patients suffering from myeloma, lymphoma and leukemia are at a high risk of getting spinal cancer. Common symptoms include loss of sensation in the legs, hands, etc, back pain that gets worse after you lie down, muscle weakness and urinary incontinence. It is diagnosed through spinal CT scan, spinal MRI scan, cerebrospinal fluid examination and spine x-ray.

Surgery for Spinal Cancer Treatment

Surgery is mainly given in the early stages. It can also be given in the advanced stages, however, the patient is first given radiation therapy so that the size of the tumor is reduced and then is scheduled for surgery, so that the spine is not damaged whilst the cancer is being removed completely. Sometimes, the patient is told to undergo decompressive laminectomy, where the cancerous cells along with some parts of the vertebrae are removed. This method also relieves the patient from the pain he/she is suffering from.

Radiation Therapy for Spinal Cancer Treatment

Radiation therapy makes the use of high-energy radiations to kill the cancerous cells present inside the patient’s body. It is given externally, where the radiations are passed through a machine. These radiations are targeted on the affected area, so that these cells react with the cancerous cells and kill them. This therapy may be used instead of surgery for the treatment of cancer of the spine. This therapy is also used to relieve the patient from the pain.

Steroids for Spinal Cancer Treatment

Steroids are often used to reduce the swelling that is caused because of spinal cancer. These are chemicals that are produced by the adrenal glands and the reproductive organs of the body and help the body to regulate and control the movements of the body. They are administered either in the form of pills or in the form of intravenous injections. These steroids do not help to treat the cancer but help to relieve the patient from the pain. They are generally given after or before surgery and during radiation therapy.

Chemotherapy for Spinal Cancer Treatment

Chemotherapy involves the usage of different anti-cancer drugs to destroy the cancer cells or to relieve the patient from the pain. It can be given in combination with surgery or radiation. It might be given prior to surgery to shrink the size of tumor. However, it is given for very few cases. Research is currently going on to find out better drugs for chemotherapy treatment. The way chemotherapy is given and its duration will be determined by your oncologist.

Given above were a few methods of treatment for cancer of the spine. The patient has to follow a proper diet, take proper medications and follow the exercise regime (if given), so that the given cancer treatment becomes effective and helps the patient enjoy a prolonged life.