Vertebral Tumor

Diagnosis for vertebral tumors typically starts with a physical exam and questions about your symptoms. Imaging tests can show the size and location of the tumor. A sample of tissue might be removed from the tumor and tested in a lab to make the diagnosis.

Exams

Your healthcare professional might start by asking about your symptoms and your health history. If you have cancer or have been treated for cancer in the past, tell your healthcare professional. Most vertebral tumors are caused by cancer that starts somewhere else in the body and spreads to the spine. Knowing your complete health history can be helpful for understanding your symptoms.

The health professional may examine your body. This might involve checking your spine for painful spots and other symptoms that might be concerning. This assessment also might include a neurological exam. This exam tests different parts of your body to understand how your nerves are working. The health professional may check your balance, coordination, strength and reflexes.

Imaging tests

Imaging tests make pictures of the body. They can show the location and size of a vertebral tumor. Imaging tests might include:

• X-ray.
• MRI.
• CT scan.
• Positron emission tomography scan, also called PET scan.

Biopsy

A biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of tissue for testing in a lab. For vertebral tumors, the tissue is often removed using a thin needle. The needle goes through the skin and into the tumor. A healthcare professional uses an imaging test, such as a CT scan, to guide the needle to the right spot. The health professional uses the needle to draw out a sample of the tumor cells.

The biopsy sample goes to a lab for testing. Tests can show the type of tumor and whether it is cancerous. Other special tests give more details. Your healthcare team uses these results to make a treatment plan.

Determining the kind of biopsy you need and the details of how to do the biopsy requires careful planning by the healthcare team. Healthcare professionals need to perform the biopsy in a way that won’t interfere with future surgery to remove the tumor. For this reason, ask for a referral to a healthcare team with extensive experience in treating vertebral tumors before your biopsy.