How spinal tumors affect the whole body—and how Ohio State doctors respond with multidisciplinary treatment

Spinal tumors can create issues all over the body, which is why Ohio State experts work across disciplines to provide patients with world-class, comprehensive care.

In a general sense, spinal tumors can occur in one of two ways — primary, or those that originate in the spine, and others that begin in other parts of the body and then metastasize. The vast majority of cases involve the latter, metastatic variety.

“Approximately 20 percent of cancer patients will end up getting disease in the spine,” Vikram B Chakravarthy, MD, says. “Only one to two percent of patients get tumors that are primary to the spine.”

Because of the nature of the spine, these tumors can cause symptoms that affect many parts of patients’ bodies and can vary widely depending on their location.

“Oftentimes it starts with just trivial back pain — maybe feels as if you pulled a muscle, but it can progress to problems with your hands, including numbness, tingling and dysfunction, where you feel like you're dropping objects,” Chakravarthy says. “It can even progress to the problems with your balance — trouble walking, feeling like your legs are going to give out. If it's in the neck, it's more likely to affect your upper body, and if it's in the lower part of the back, it's probably more likely to affect your legs.”

When spinal tumors are diagnosed, OSUCCC – James meet to discuss treatment options for each case, combining skills to create therapy plans catered to patients’ individual needs.

“Here at The James, we approach spinal tumors in a multidisciplinary fashion,” Chakravarthy says.” So, we meet regularly on the spinal tumor board with our neurosurgeons and radiation oncologists, and we talk about these cases together to try to figure out what is the best way to personalize care for patients.”

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