Spinal Cord Tumours: The Overlooked Cause of Back Pain - Dr Venkata Ramakrishna

Most patients who come to me with back pain assume it must be a slipped disc, a muscle pull, or maybe arthritis. Rarely does anyone imagine that something more serious could be at play.

Yet, in a small but significant number of cases, persistent back pain can be a sign of a spinal cord tumour. Because these tumours often grow silently, they are easily overlooked until they begin to interfere with movement, sensation, or even bladder control.

Understanding spinal cord tumours

The spinal cord is like a highway of nerves, carrying signals between the brain and the rest of the body. A growth in the spinal canal, whether arising within the cord or pressing on it from outside, can disturb the flow of nerve signals.

Some of these tumours are non-cancerous and others malignant, but even a benign one can create serious trouble because the spinal canal leaves very little room for expansion.

Spinal tumours are not as common as other causes of back pain, but their consequences can be severe if left undiagnosed. The challenge is that their symptoms often mimic far more common spine problems.

When back pain is more than “just pain”

Almost everyone experiences back pain at some point, usually from lifestyle causes like poor posture, long sitting hours, or strain. What should raise a red flag is pain that does not behave like typical mechanical back pain.

Key warning signs include:

Persistent or worsening pain despite rest or routine treatment.

Night pain that disturbs sleep.

Pain accompanied by tingling, numbness, or weakness in the arms or legs.

Loss of balance, difficulty walking, or changes in bladder and bowel habits.

These are signals that the spinal cord itself may be under pressure and needs urgent evaluation.

Why is diagnosis often delayed?

Many patients put off seeing a specialist because they assume their pain is “age-related” or due to posture. Even when they do seek help, spinal tumours can be mistaken for disc problems.

Only when symptoms progress, such as difficulty in using the hands, dragging of the feet, or sudden incontinence, does the true cause become clearer. By this stage, the tumour may already have caused significant nerve damage.

That is why detailed neurological examination and imaging, especially MRI scans, are essential when back pain is persistent and atypical.

Treatment options and outcomes

The management of spinal cord tumours depends on their type, size, and location. For most patients, surgery remains the primary treatment option. The goal is to remove as much of the tumour as possible without harming the nerves.

With modern microsurgical tools and real-time monitoring during the operation, results have become safer and more successful than they once were.

If a tumour is cancerous or cannot be removed fully, treatment may include radiation and, in some cases, chemotherapy. Recovery does not end there. Physiotherapy plays a key role in helping patients regain strength, movement, and independence.

The good news is that many patients experience dramatic improvement once the pressure on the spinal cord is relieved. Early intervention is the key patients who are treated before severe nerve damage occurs often return to near-normal lives.

Living with awareness

One of the hardest parts of my work is meeting patients who lived with “nagging back pain” for years, brushing it aside, only to discover it was a spinal tumour. The reality is not that every backache means a tumour, far from it, but that persistent, unusual symptoms should never be ignored.

I encourage patients to listen to their bodies. If your back pain is lingering for weeks, disturbing your sleep, or coming with neurological symptoms, it deserves more than painkillers or home remedies. A timely consultation can make the difference between a simple surgery and a life of disability.

Back pain is one of the most common complaints in modern life, and in the majority of cases, it is not dangerous. But we must remember that the spine also houses the spinal cord, a structure so vital that even small tumours can have large consequences.

My advice is simple: treat back pain with respect. Do not ignore warning signs, and do not hesitate to seek a specialist opinion if symptoms persist. Early diagnosis of spinal cord tumours not only prevents irreversible damage but also gives patients the chance to return to full, active lives.

Your spine is more than a support system it is the gateway for every sensation and movement in your body. Protecting it begins with awareness, vigilance, and timely action.

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