Spinal tumors might be rare, and if you have these strange masses in the spinal cord, you are likely to experience chronic pain. However, you cannot know that you have the tumor until you get a proper diagnosis at the doctor’s office. You should seek the diagnosis from experts of spinal tumors in Edison from Dr. Jeff Pan. He will know the symptoms of spinal tumors and be able to help you with the treatments you may need.
What causes spinal Tumors?
Although spinal tumors are uncommon, the causes of the condition have not yet been discovered. Moreover, not all spinal tumors are cancerous; but patients with cancerous spinal tumors are likely to have a history of other cancers. There is a need for further screening for patients who have a history of other cancers, especially if they are experiencing strange symptoms.
Signs of Spinal Tumors
There are different symptoms depending on the spinal tumor’s location, but mostly you will feel pain and difficulty walking. Moreover, you might develop an abnormal gait, feel weak, have a tingling sensation, loss of bladder and bowel function, paralysis, general mid-back pain, or scoliosis. It is best to avoid concluding that the condition is a tumor without a proper diagnosis.
When to See a Doctor
Although most spinal cord pain might not result from tumors, severe pain could indicate a severe spinal condition. Persistent and progressive pain in the spinal area might be a concern, meaning that you should see a doctor immediately. Moreover, if the pain does not result from sports or trauma, it needs immediate medical care. If you have a history of other cancers or growth in the back accompanied by pain should make you go for cancer screening. You should see the doctor when the back pain gets worse at night or if you have other cancer symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Early treatment of spinal tumors can help you get back on your feet quickly and prevent further medical complications.
Diagnosis of Spinal Tumors
At first, you might visit your primary doctor for back pain and other spinal tumor symptoms. However, your primary caregiver might recommend pain killers and ask you to relax and wait to see if the symptoms go away. When the spinal tumor symptoms do not improve, you can request an imaging diagnosis such as MRI and X-ray imaging to understand better what is happening in your spinal area. Fortunately with current diagnosis procedures, the treatment can be accelerated, unlike when a patient had to go through physical therapy and numerous trips to the ER doctor first.
The Bottom Line
Although all spinal tumors might not result from cancer, it could be wise to get a cancer screening when you have a history of other cancers. A tumor could cause chronic pain that impairs walking, leads to loss of bowel and bladder functions, progressive numbness in the legs, and pain radiating to other parts of the body. To seek diagnosis and treatment, contact Jeff Pan, MD today.