Spinal cord tumors treatment and diagnostics abroad

Spinal cord tumors are benign or malignant growths in the spinal cord, its membranes, the nerve roots or the vertebrae. Many of them — meningiomas and schwannomas — are benign and can be removed surgically with good results.

Below are neurosurgery clinics abroad: compare their capabilities, doctors and prices.

Types of tumors

• Extradural — outside the dura, often metastases in the vertebrae.
• Intradural extramedullary — meningiomas, schwannomas, neurofibromas; mostly benign.
• Intramedullary — inside the spinal cord: ependymomas, astrocytomas, hemangioblastomas.

Symptoms

• back pain that gets worse at night and when lying down;
• numbness, loss of sensation, weakness in the arms or legs;
• walking and balance problems;
• new bladder or bowel dysfunction, which can signal spinal cord or cauda equina compression.

Symptoms can develop at different rates, including with benign tumours. New or worsening weakness, walking difficulty or bladder or bowel dysfunction needs urgent local assessment for possible cord compression before travel.

Diagnosis

• spine MRI with contrast — the main test;
• CT — to assess the bones;
• PET-CT — when metastases are suspected;
• biopsy or histology of the removed tumor.

Treatment abroad

• Microsurgical removal with neurophysiological monitoring — the main treatment for benign tumors.
• Radiosurgery (CyberKnife) and radiotherapy — for residual tumor and metastases.
• Chemotherapy — for certain malignant tumors.
• Rehabilitation to restore movement and sensation.

Among the clinics on Clinics Direct, such operations are performed, for example, at Delfos Clinic (Spain) and Acibadem Hospitals (Turkey). The full list is in the neurosurgery section.

Send your MRI to Clinics Direct coordinators — we will obtain a neurosurgeon's opinion and treatment prices free of charge.