Combining attentive, compassionate care with our extensive clinical and research resources, UT Southwestern's cardiology experts and vascular specialists deliver individualized care within pre-eminent health care facilities.
Spinal Tumors
New Patient Appointment or 214-645-8300
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.

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.
Related Conditions and Treatments
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Showing 7 locations
Pediatric Neurosurgery
at UT Southwestern Pediatric Group at Plano 7609 Preston Road, 1st Floor, Suite P1100Plano, Texas 75024 214-456-6660 Directions
Spine Center
at James W. Aston Ambulatory Care Center 5303 Harry Hines Blvd., 6th Floor, Suite 108Dallas, Texas 75390 214-645-2225 Directions Parking Info
Spine Center
at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Las Colinas West 6121 N. Highway 161, 3rd Floor, Suite 300Irving, Texas 75038 469-647-4700 Directions
Spine Center
at UT Southwestern Frisco 12500 Dallas Parkway, 3rd FloorFrisco, Texas 75033 469-604-9000 Directions Parking Info
UT Southwestern Neurosurgery at Texas Health Dallas
at Professional Building 3 8230 Walnut Hill Lane, Suite 514Dallas, Texas 75231 214-645-2300 Directions
University Hospital Medical Oncology Clinic - Brain
at Seay Biomedical Building 2201 Inwood Road, 3rd Floor, Suite 500Dallas, Texas 75390 214-645-4673 Directions Parking Info
University Hospital Radiation Oncology Clinic
at Radiation Oncology Building 2280 Inwood RoadDallas, Texas 75390 214-645-8525 Directions