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Doctors use the term malignant to indicate that a particular tumor
or a cancer often spreads to other parts of the body, can be difficult to cure
or treat, and may often be deadly. This is very different from benign
cancers, which are much less likely to spread, are easier to treat and control,
and are much less deadly.
 Myeloma
Myeloma is the most common primary malignant tumor of bone. It typically affects
adults greater than 40 years of age. It tends to be generalized, involving multiple
bones, but back pain and involvement of the spine is the most common presenting
complaint. Treatment is palliative; meaning that disease can be controlled,
but not completely cured. Chemotherapy is used to control the pain and slow
the progression of the disease. Surgery may be required if pathological fractures
develop or there is compression of the spinal cord.
Osteosarcoma
Osteosarcoma is the second most common primary malignant tumor of bone. There
are two age groups that can often develop this type of cancer. It typically affects
adolescents and young adults, with a second peak of incidence in older adults.
It is very rare in the spine. Modern advances in imaging, chemotherapy, and surgical
treatment of osteosarcomas have significantly improved the five-year survival to
greater than 80 percent. This is an amazing accomplishment, since 20 years ago,
this disease was almost always fatal.
Leukemia, in its many forms, may present with back pain, which can
be caused by the cancer growing in the bone marrow of the vertebral body. However,
the more common symptoms of leukemia, such as fevers, fatigue, easy bruiseability,
excessive bleeding, and anemia are usually noticed well before back pain occurs.
Chordoma
Although, chordoma may appear anywhere in the spinal column, it's more likely
to appear at the ends of the spine at the occipital cervical junction or in
the sacrococcygeal region. Chordoma is rare. Sacrococcygeal chordoma appears
more often in males and usually develops during middle ages, but can develop
any time.
Although imaging studies such as x-rays and MRIs
may be suspicious, the diagnosis of chordoma is established by biopsy of the
tumor. Treatment is surgical resection of the tumor. The overall prognosis for
the tumor depends on the size, extent of skeletal involvement, and other factors.
Have more questions?
Visit our Web sites for answers to all your back and neck problems.
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| Published: March 17, 2005 |
Updated: March 17, 2005 |
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