Spine · Tumours
Spinal Cord & Spine Tumour Treatment in Faridabad
Spinal tumours often begin with quiet, easily missed signs. Careful diagnosis and team planning help protect the spinal cord.
रात में बढ़ने वाला पीठ दर्द, पैरों में धीरे-धीरे कमज़ोरी या सीने के आसपास पट्टी जैसा सुन्नपन रीढ़ के ट्यूमर का संकेत हो सकता है। हर गाँठ कैंसर नहीं होती; कंट्रास्ट एमआरआई से सही इलाज तय होता है।
Understanding Spinal Cord Tumours
Spinal tumours are described by where they sit. Extradural tumours lie outside the dura, the sheath around the cord; many arise in vertebral bone and are often metastases. Intradural-extramedullary tumours lie inside the sheath but outside the cord — such as nerve sheath tumours and spinal meningiomas — and many are benign. Intramedullary tumours grow within the cord itself, such as ependymomas, and need especially delicate handling.
These tumours often announce themselves slowly: back pain worse at night, a band of numbness around the chest, legs that trip on stairs — easily blamed on a slip disc or age. Contrast MRI is the key test. Not every lesion is a tumour; cysts and inflammation can look similar. Dr. Naresh Panwar's academic work includes a published report on a thoracic intramedullary arachnoid cyst, reflecting an interest in spinal cord lesions.
When cancer from the breast, lung, prostate or kidney spreads to the spine, it is called metastatic spine disease. A team — neurosurgery, oncology, radiation oncology, pathology and rehabilitation — decides together whether surgery, radiotherapy or medicines will help most. Families from NIT and Greater Faridabad can begin this assessment close to home; see also our page on brain tumour surgery.
Common symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. Having one of these does not mean you have this condition.
Back or neck pain worse lying down or waking you from sleep.
A tight band around the chest or abdomen, or numbness creeping up from the feet.
Increasing difficulty walking or frequent tripping.
New urgency, hesitation or constipation without clear reason.
Persistent back pain in anyone treated for cancer needs prompt evaluation.
Possible causes & risk factors
Most primary spinal tumours arise without a clear cause.
Breast, lung, prostate, kidney and blood cancers can spread to the spine.
Neurofibromatosis increases the likelihood of nerve sheath tumours.
Metastatic disease is commoner in older adults; some cord tumours affect younger people.
When to seek help
Book a routine consultation
- Night-time back or neck pain lasting several weeks.
- Slowly increasing numbness or leg stiffness.
- An MRI report mentioning a 'lesion', 'mass' or 'cyst' near the cord.
Seek emergency care
- Rapidly worsening leg weakness over hours or days.
- Sudden loss of bladder or bowel control.
- Quickly developing inability to walk. Go to the nearest emergency department or call 112 — cord compression is an emergency.
How it is diagnosed
Shows the tumour's exact position, its relation to the cord and any other lesions.
CT shows bone destruction; whole-body imaging may be advised by oncology if spread is suspected.
Confirms exactly what the tumour is and guides treatment.
Available treatment options
Treatment is chosen after examining you and studying your scans. Many people do well without an operation.
Small, benign-looking tumours without symptoms may simply be watched.
Many metastatic and some primary tumours are treated with radiotherapy or medicines, decided by the oncology team.
Under the operating microscope, the tumour is removed as completely as is safe while protecting the cord.
For metastases compressing the cord or weakening the spine, surgery may relieve pressure and fix the spine before radiotherapy.
When neurosurgery may be recommended
- Progressive weakness, numbness or bladder symptoms.
- Tumour growth on repeat scans.
- A tissue diagnosis is needed.
- The spine is unstable or the cord is compressed in a patient fit for surgery.
Procedure overview
A simplified outline. The exact steps depend on your scans and the approach chosen.
- Team planningImaging, general health and cancer status are reviewed together.
- Opening the spinal canalUnder general anaesthesia, bone at the back of the spine is opened.
- Microscopic removalThe tumour is separated from cord and nerves and removed fully or partly, as safe.
- Closure and stabilisationThe dura is closed and screws are added if the spine needs support.
Potential benefits, risks & limitations
Potential benefits
- Relief of cord pressure, which may halt neurological decline.
- A confirmed diagnosis to guide treatment.
- Possible cure for benign tumours that can be completely removed.
Possible risks
- New or worsened weakness, numbness or bladder problems.
- Spinal fluid leak or infection.
- Tumour regrowth needing further treatment.
- Later spinal instability after extensive bone removal.
Some intramedullary tumours cannot be fully removed without harming the cord, so safe partial removal plus other treatment may be the aim. In metastatic disease, surgery supports rather than replaces cancer treatment.
Recovery & follow-up
Hospital stay is usually longer than after routine spine surgery and depends on the tumour and your condition beforehand. Physiotherapy starts early, and the histopathology report shapes the next steps.
Follow-up MRI scans show whether the tumour was fully removed or returns. In metastatic disease, recovery is coordinated with oncology, with goals of comfort, mobility and independence.
Why consult Dr. Naresh Panwar
- Spine surgery and brain tumour surgery are among his listed areas at Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad.
- Academic interest in spinal cord lesions, including a published report on a thoracic intramedullary arachnoid cyst.
- MCh (Neurosurgery), SMS Medical College, Jaipur; more than a decade of neurosurgical practice.
- Member of NSI and the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS).
Questions to ask your surgeon
Write these down and bring them to your appointment.
- Is the tumour outside the dura, inside it, or within the cord?
- Does it look benign, and how sure can we be?
- Is surgery needed now, or can we observe?
- Can it be removed completely and safely?
- Which other specialists will be involved?
Frequently asked questions
Is every spinal tumour cancer?
No. Many tumours inside the sheath, such as meningiomas and nerve sheath tumours, are benign. They can still press on the cord, so specialist assessment matters.
Kya spinal tumour bina operation ke theek ho sakta hai?
Kuch cases mein, haan. Small tumours without symptoms may only need monitoring, and many metastases respond to radiotherapy. Surgery is advised when the cord is compressed, the spine unstable or a diagnosis needed.
My father has prostate cancer and new back pain. What should we do?
Tell his oncologist promptly and ask about a spine MRI. If leg weakness, numbness or bladder problems appear, go to the nearest emergency department or call 112.
Is a spinal arachnoid cyst a tumour?
No — it is a fluid-filled pocket, though it can press on the cord and mimic a tumour on MRI. Treatment depends on whether it causes symptoms.
Can treatment be planned in Faridabad instead of Delhi?
Evaluation and surgical planning can begin at Sarvodaya Hospital, Sector 8. Bring all MRI films and oncology records, and call +91 96608 88640 to confirm consultation timings.
Related care & reading
Appointments
Your brain and spine health deserve a carefully considered plan.
Request a consultation with Dr. Naresh Panwar at Sarvodaya Hospital, Sector 8, Faridabad. Bring your MRI or CT scans and reports, and the care team will help you prepare.