Intramedullary Tumors (Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumors)

Rare tumors that develop within the spinal cord tissue itself, most of which grow slowly.

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Spinal Cord and Intradural Tumors

This hub page brings together 3 conditions under Spinal Cord and Intradural Tumors. Use it to move from overview content to the relevant disease detail pages.

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1Overview

Quick and clear information for patients

What is this Condition?

Intramedullary tumors are rare lesions that develop within the spinal cord itself, among nerve tissue. They comprise a small portion of spinal canal tumors. The two most common types are ependymoma and astrocytoma; other types include vascular-rich hemangioblastoma. Most grow slowly with symptoms developing insidiously over months or years. As the tumor enlarges, it exerts internal pressure on the spinal cord causing pain, weakness, sensory changes, and urinary-bowel control problems. Since these tumors are intimately intertwined with spinal cord tissue, their surgical removal ranks among the most delicate neurosurgical procedures; therefore, special neuromonitoring techniques that track nerve function in real-time are used during surgery. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial for preservation of neurological function.

Symptoms

Pain at the tumor level, particularly worsening at night and when lying down

Gradually progressive weakness or loss of dexterity in the arms or legs

Numbness, tingling, or changes in temperature and touch sensation

Difficulty walking, imbalance

Urinary or bowel control problems (urinary frequency, incontinence, straining)

Development of spinal curvature (scoliosis), particularly in children

Diagnosis Methods

The fundamental diagnostic method is MRI; contrast-enhanced MRI shows tumor location, margins, internal cysts, spinal cord edema in detail, and guides differentiation between tumor types. When MRI cannot be performed, CT or CT myelography may be used; for vascular-rich tumors, angiography may be needed for vascular mapping. Definitive diagnosis is established through pathological examination of tissue samples obtained during surgery.

Treatment Methods

Treatment is based on microsurgical removal of the tumor as safely as possible. Surgery is performed under the microscope with real-time neuroelectrophysiological monitoring (SSEP, MEP, EMG) to preserve neurological function. Near-total resection is more likely in well-circumscribed tumors, while resection may be limited in infiltrative tumors. Following surgery, radiation therapy (radiotherapy) or in some cases chemotherapy may be added depending on tumor type and extent of resection. Supportive treatments for pain, muscle stiffness, urinary-bowel problems, and rehabilitation are planned. Treatment is individualized for each patient.

Tumor resection under the microscope with intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (microsurgery)

Post-operative radiation therapy (radiotherapy) or focused radiosurgery when indicated

Chemotherapy for certain tumor types

Supportive treatment and rehabilitation for pain, muscle stiffness, and urinary-bowel problems

Treatment Path

Related Treatments

The procedures and interventions most commonly explored with this condition.

4 links

Servikal spinal intramedüller tümör çıkarılması

Servikal spinal intramedüller tümör çıkarılması procedure

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Servikal spinal ekstramedüller tümör çıkarılması

Servikal spinal ekstramedüller tümör çıkarılması procedure

Open treatment detail

Torakal spinal intramedüller tümör çıkarılması

Torakal spinal intramedüller tümör çıkarılması procedure

Open treatment detail

Torakal spinal ekstramedüller tümör çıkarılması

Torakal spinal ekstramedüller tümör çıkarılması procedure

Open treatment detail

References

Greenberg MS. Handbook of Neurosurgery. 10th ed. Thieme; 2023.
Winn HR, ed. Spinal Cord Tumors in Adults. In: Winn HR, ed. Youmans and Winn Neurological Surgery. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2011.
Shimony N, et al. Malignant Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumors. In: Spinal Cord Tumors. Cham: Springer; 2019.
Deletis V, Seidel K. Intraoperative Neurophysiology during Surgery for Spinal Cord Tumors. In: Spinal Cord Tumors. Cham: Springer; 2019.

This content is for informational purposes and based on academic sources; consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment.

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Intramedullary Tumors (Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumors)

Spinal Cord and Intradural Tumors

1Overview

What is this Condition?

Symptoms

Diagnosis Methods

Treatment Methods

Related Treatments

Servikal spinal intramedüller tümör çıkarılması

Servikal spinal ekstramedüller tümör çıkarılması

Torakal spinal intramedüller tümör çıkarılması

Torakal spinal ekstramedüller tümör çıkarılması

References

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Servikal spinal intramedüller tümör çıkarılması

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Torakal spinal intramedüller tümör çıkarılması

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