Recovery Outlook for Spinal Cord Tumors

Spinal cord tumors are abnormal growths that can develop anywhere in or along the spinal column, including the spinal cord, vertebrae, and nearby tissues. These growths are not always cancerous, but they can grow large enough to press against the sensitive spinal cord nerve fibers and surrounding blood vessels, which can cause sensory symptoms (such as tingling and numbness) and motor symptoms (such as weakness or paralysis).

Being diagnosed with a spinal cord tumor can be life-changing. Although treatment options exist, how the tumor responds after treatment and the effects of potential complications of treatment on your everyday life differs from patient to patient.

The life expectancy of and prognosis for a person with a spinal cord tumor depend on a variety of factors. In this article, we discuss the elements that shape the trajectory of spinal cord tumor disease and the overall recovery outlook for those affected by it.

The survival outcome for someone with a spinal cord tumor depends on various factors, including the tumor’s location, grade, and type, along with other considerations such as the person’s age and any coexisting medical condition(s).

In general, people with a low-grade (benign) tumor that can be completely removed have a higher likelihood of longer survival than those with a high-grade (malignant) tumor that invades surrounding tissues.

Based on a tumor’s location relative to the spinal cord, the following are broad estimates regarding life expectancy for people with a spinal cord tumor. Please note that these survival estimates are based on available literature, and data regarding certain rare tumor types might be limited.

In addition, older cases in the literature might not reflect more recent advancements in technology and surgical techniques, potentially leading to a more negative reported prognosis. Therefore, you should always consult your medical doctor for a more accurate and personalized outlook for your condition.

Tumors located outside of the tough membranous covering of the spinal cord (dura) are called extradural spinal cord tumors. Most of these tumors result from a spread of cancer from another area of the body (metastasis), but other tumor types (such as chordomas and chondrosarcomas) and bone tumors (such as osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, osteoid osteoma, osteoblastoma, osteochondroma, osteoclastoma [giant cell tumor], and aneurysmal bone cysts) can occur here.

• Metastasis is a tumor that occurs because of the spread of a primary tumor located elsewhere. Spinal cord metastases often arise from breast, lung, prostate, kidney, skin, and gastrointestinal cancers. The presence of metastasis indicates an advanced stage of disease with the dissemination of tumors at multiple locations. The overall life expectancy for patients with metastasis is poor, typically less than 1 year.
• Chordomas are malignant tumors that originate from remnants of the notochord, a structure that plays a crucial role in the early development of the spine. Approximately 50% to 80% of patients are alive 5 years after their diagnosis; patients diagnosed at a younger age typically survive longer than those diagnosed at an older age.
• Chondrosarcomas are malignant tumors that arise from cartilage cells. The prognosis can be relatively good for those with a low-grade (grade 1) chondrosarcoma, with up to 80% of patients surviving for at least 10 years. In contrast, approximately 30% to 50% of patients with a higher-grade chondrosarcoma survive for 10 years.
• Osteosarcomas are malignant bone tumors that form from specialized cells involved in bone formation (osteoblasts). Although osteosarcoma is the second most common primary bone tumor type, its occurrence in the spine is rare. Overall survival rates are lower than those for people with an osteosarcoma located outside of the spine, with less than 30% to 40% of patients surviving for 5 years or more after diagnosis.
• Ewing sarcomas are malignant bone tumors that arise from neuroectodermal cells. Approximately 55% to 65% of patients with Ewing sarcoma in the spine are alive 5 years after diagnosis.
• Osteochondromas are benign bone tumors that often appear as a bony outgrowth with a cartilaginous cap. They typically do not affect life expectancy, and surgery can cure them.
• Osteoid osteomas and osteoblastomas are benign bone tumors that are often less than or greater than 2 cm in diameter, respectively. They typically do not affect life expectancy. Smaller osteoid osteomas might resolve spontaneously over time. For larger osteoblastomas, surgical removal can be curative.
• Osteoclastomas, also known as giant cell tumors, are rare benign bone tumors that can be locally aggressive and reappear after treatment. Approximately 70% of patients with a spinal osteoclastoma survive for at least 5 years. Recurrence can be frequent and correlates with worse prognosis.
• Aneurysmal bone cysts are rare lesions of the spine that contain blood-filled cavities. Although they might not affect life expectancy, they can reappear, making additional treatment necessary.

Tumors located within the dura but outside of the spinal cord tissue are considered intradural extramedullary spinal cord tumors. Meningiomas, nerve sheath tumors (such as schwannomas and neurofibromas), hemangioblastomas, and paragangliomas are tumor types that can occur in this area. Most intradural extramedullary tumor types are benign and result in favorable overall survival rates and positive prognoses.

• Meningiomas are benign tumors that arise from arachnoid cap cells. The survival rate and prognosis for patients with this type of tumor are usually excellent; more than 90% of patients survive for at least 10 years after diagnosis. Surgery can be curative.
• Schwannomas are benign tumors that arise from Schwann cells, which help to produce the fatty outer covering around nerve fibers (myelin sheath). The prognosis for patients with a schwannoma is excellent, and surgery can be curative. Life expectancy is usually not affected.
• Neurofibromas are benign tumors that arise from components of the nerve sheath. These tumors can be sporadic or associated with a genetic condition called neurofibromatosis type 1. These tumors are more adherent to the nerve and can be difficult to remove completely. Approximately 80% and 60% of patients with a neurofibroma survive for at least 5 and 10 years after diagnosis, respectively.
• Hemangioblastomas are rare and typically benign tumors that are thought to arise from cells of the vascular system. They can occur sporadically or in association with the genetic condition von Hippel–Lindau disease. Prognosis is usually excellent, and surgery can be curative.
• Paragangliomas are benign tumors that develop from neural crest cells and can rarely appear in the spine. Spinal paragangliomas are reported to result in a favorable prognosis, and surgery can offer a cure with a low chance of recurrence.

Tumors that arise within the spinal cord tissue are considered intramedullary spinal cord tumors. Common intramedullary spinal cord tumor types include ependymomas, astrocytomas, and hemangioblastomas.

Intramedullary spinal cord tumors can be harder to surgically remove than extramedullary spinal cord tumors because of how close they are to spinal cord nerve fibers; therefore, they generally result in a worse prognosis than do intradural extramedullary spinal cord tumors.

• Ependymomas are tumors that arise from ependymal cells lining the cavities of the brain and central canal of the spinal cord. Spinal cord ependymomas usually have a distinct surgical plane that allows for a greater likelihood of complete removal. Overall survival can vary widely; approximately 50% to 80% of patients survive for at least 5 years after diagnosis.
• Astrocytomas are tumors that arise from star-shaped astrocyte cells, which support and nourish neurons. Spinal cord astrocytomas usually penetrate the surrounding tissues, making it challenging to remove completely. Overall survival rates depend on the grade of the tumor. Approximately 15% and 80% of patients with an aggressive grade 4 or benign grade 1 spinal cord astrocytoma survive at least 5 years after diagnosis.

It is important to note that these survival estimates are general approximations of life expectancies with standard treatment recommendations and can differ based on your individual medical circumstances and specific treatment plan. Although this information can help give you a sense of the nature of survival outcomes, you should consult with your medical team for a more accurate prognosis based on your individual factors.

Being diagnosed with a spinal cord tumor can be stressful and lead to feelings of worry and even depression. Although treatments are available, they can be invasive and pose challenges to your physical and mental well-being.

Understanding the survival outlook for those with a tumor can be helpful in planning for the future, but it is also important to consider the risks and potential complications of each treatment, because they can affect your quality of life.

As we have already discussed, survival times can vary widely depending on the tumor type and grade. Some patients can live for years with a spinal tumor, whereas others might succumb to their disease within months after the diagnosis. Although certain benign spinal cord tumor types can be cured by surgery, other more aggressive or malignant types are often incurable.

Invasive treatment options such as surgery are an important treatment option for spinal cord tumors, but they could also worsen neurologic deficits and require postoperative rehabilitation. Functional improvement might be modest and take months or years to occur.

Recovering from a spinal cord tumor can be difficult and take a considerable toll on your physical and mental health. The tumor itself and the treatments involved might result in a loss of independence.

You might require assistance with tasks that were once routine, which can be a source of significant frustration and emotional strain. It will be important to maintain open lines of communication with your loved ones, seek support from a dedicated group, and actively engage with your medical team throughout the recovery process.

• Survival rates for people with a spinal cord tumor vary based on tumor type, location, and grade and other factors such as your age and the presence of another medical condition(s)
• Certain types of benign spinal cord tumor can be cured with surgery, but malignant spinal cord tumors are often incurable
• The recovery process can be long and arduous, and many patients require rehabilitation after treatment
• A spinal cord tumor is life-changing and can lead to loss of independence; maintaining open communication with your loved ones and medical team will be important throughout your recovery

• American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS): Spinal tumors
• National Cancer Institute: Related organizations
• Cancer Support Community: Brain and spinal cord tumors
• Glioma Foundation Center
• Collaborative Ependymoma Research Network (CERN) Foundation