Spinal cord tumors: new views and future directions

Abstract

Spinal cord tumors are uncommon neoplasms that, without treatment, can cause significant neurologic morbidity and mortality. The historic classification of spine tumors is based on the use of myelography with 3 main groups: (1) extramedullary extradural, (2) intradural extramedullary, and (3) intradural intramedullary. This chapter focuses on intramedullary spinal cord tumors (ISCTs), with an emphasis on new diagnostic imaging modalities and treatment options. The common ISCTs include ependymoma, astrocytoma and hemangioblastoma, which together account for over 90% of primary ISCTs. Rare tumors such as gangliglioma, oligodendroglioma, paraganglioma, melanocytoma, lipoma, and primary spinal cord lymphoma are also included in this review, in addition to spinal cord metastatic disease.