Cancerous (malignant) and Non-cancerous (benign) Tumors of the Spine and Spinal Cord

The spine surgeons at The Center for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at Roosevelt Hospital in Manhattan, New York City, treat cancerous (malignant) and non-cancerous (benign) spine tumors, spinal cord tumors and benign conditions, such as:

Spinal tumors
Giant cell tumors. A giant cell tumor is a benign tumor of the bone.
Osteoid osteoma. An osteoid osteoma is a benign bone-forming tumor that can occur anywhere in the spine.
Sacral chordoma. A sacral chordoma is a locally malignant tumor which arises from Notochordal remnants (cells of origin of the spinal cord) usually localized to the sacrum (base of the spine).

Spinal cord tumors
Ependymoma and Astrocytoma. Ependymomas and astrocytomas occur within the spinal cord and extend up and down, as well as expanding the cord's circumference. The majority of adult patients have ependymomas, and the majority of children have astrocytomas. Surgeons can completely remove ependymomas with a high cure rate. Astrocytomas tend to be more resilient and can recur locally. The tumors do not metastasize outside the spine.
Hemangioblastoma. A hemangioblastoma is usually a benign tumor that can occur anywhere in the central nervous system.
Metastatic tumors. Metatastic tumors are tumors that have spread from cancer in another part of the body. They usually start in the vertebra and may result in a pathological fracture of the vertebra with possible spinal cord compression and instability.

Nerve root tumors
Schwannoma. A schwannoma is a benign tumor of the nerve sheath, or tissue that covers the nerves.
Neurofibroma. A neurofibroma is a benign tumor that also arises from the nerve sheath but is more of an inherited disorder in a condition called neurofibromatosis.

Other tumors
Meningioma. A meningioma is a benign tumor that can arise from the meninges (a fluid filled jacket that protects nerves) of the spinal canal. Meningiomas typically arise at the junction of the spine and the skull as well as in the spinal canal. A meningioma is more common in women and tends to occur more often in the thoracic spine. Surgery soon after diagnosis is the treatment of choice for optimum results.

To make an appointment at the Center for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, please call (212) 523-6720.

The Center for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Roosevelt Hospital
1000 Tenth Avenue (at 59th Street)
Suite 5G-80
New York, NY 10019