Spinal Tumors

At UT Southwestern Medical Center, the Spine Center’s spinal oncology team brings together a multidisciplinary group of experts from neurosurgery, orthopaedic surgery, radiation oncology, medical oncology, pain management, and physical medicine and rehabilitation.

We work closely with the specialists at UT Southwestern’s Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center – the only National Cancer Institute-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in North Texas – to collaboratively treat patients with cancerous spinal tumors.

Our team uses the latest advances in surgical and nonsurgical techniques to help improve outcomes and develop new treatments for patients with tumors of the spinal cord or spinal column.

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Unmatched Expertise in Spinal Tumor Treatment

Spinal tumors are abnormal masses of tissue that develop in or around the spinal cord or spinal column. Spinal tumors can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

Malignant tumors typically develop because a primary cancer in another part of the body spreads (metastasizes) to the spine; in rare cases, the malignancy grows primarily in the spine itself.

We have extensive experience treating both primary and metastatic tumors of the spine. Our experts treat patients with primary spinal cord and nerve tumors such as gliomas, ependymomas, schwannomas, neurofibromas, and cavernous malformations (cavernomas). Primary spinal column tumors include chordoma, osteoblastoma, sarcomas, and giant-cell tumors.

The level of compassion, skill, and expertise of our team members is unsurpassed by any program in the country, and our multidisciplinary team approach ensures the highest level of care for our patients.  

We strive to coordinate, facilitate, and expedite patient care, saving our patients time. Our goal is to partner with our patients, get them back to health as soon as possible, and help them achieve the best outcomes.

Spinal Tumor Diagnosis

Tests, procedures, and imaging studies we use to diagnose spinal tumors might include:

• Neurological examination
• Spine imaging, such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET)
• Laboratory testing
• Electromyography and nerve conduction studies (EMG/NCS)
• Tissue sample (biopsy)

Treatments for Spinal Tumors

Our specialists at the Spine Center treat both cancerous and noncancerous spinal tumors with therapies such as:

• Surgery, including state-of- the-art microsurgery
• Radiation therapy
• Stereotactic radiosurgery, pioneered at UT Southwestern
• Chemotherapy, using the latest evidence-based drugs

We’ll create a care plan that minimizes the number of visits a patient needs to make, while also providing all the support needed. 

Research and Clinical Trials

UT Southwestern conducts clinical trials aimed at improving the treatment of spinal tumors. Talk with our doctors to see if a clinical trial is available.