Some types of tumours may involve the vertebral column, and can cause pain, instability, or compression of the nerves or spinal cord.

The most common tumours are metastatic tumours (which have spread from the prostate, breasts, kidneys, bowel etc.) and myeloma (cancer of the plasma cells). Primary bone tumours are less common.

TREATMENT

Tumours affecting the spine may be treated with a number of approaches, including:

• Chemotherapy
• Radiotherapy
• Surgery

There is now good evidence that surgical stabilisation and decompression can offer a significant sustained benefit in many patients with tumours affecting the spine.