The most common symptom of a spine tumor is back pain that does not improve with rest. Most back pain, of course, is not caused by a spinal tumor, so an accurate diagnosis is critical. (Read more about back pain here.)
Other common symptoms of a spine tumor include:
- Sciatica (pain that runs along the sciatic nerve, which radiates from the lower back, down the buttocks and back of the leg)
- Numbness in the legs, arms, or chest
- Difficulty walking
- Scoliosis, or curvature of the spine, as a result of spine-deforming tumor growth
It is important to seek treatment as soon as possible if your pain persists and if you have a history of cancer — the spine is a common place for another cancer to spread.
Seek treatment immediately if you have:
- Impaired bladder or bowel function
- Paralysis
Spine tumors are serious and complex lesions, and they should be evaluated by experienced spine surgeons and spinal oncologists at a major medical center. At Weill Cornell, our Spinal Tumor Program provides expert multidisciplinary care for patients with both primary and metastatic spine tumors, as well as access to clinical trials.
You might know the name Dr. Orna Guralnik from having read one of her features in The New York Times or The Washington Post, or you may have seen her profiled in The New Yorker. It’s even more likely that know of her as the host of the award-winning...
The natural drive of an athlete is to work hard, to persevere, to win. That’s the mindset of equestrian Laura Bowery, 54, of Southampton, New York. The mother of two is the owner of Sea-Aire Inc., a top Long Island stable for training both horses...
Jamie Igneri, 31, lives a pretty idyllic life these days. The special-ed math teacher lives in Manalapan, New Jersey, with her husband, Chris, and their toddler daughter. Jamie’s peaceful life is a far cry from in 2021, when a flare-up of back pain...
Matilde Anacoreta moved to New York from Portugal at age 7 with her parents, Maria and Miguel, and her brother, Mateus. By middle school Matilde was a typical American girl, enjoying skiing and surfing. But at age 13, Matilde had to take a break...
This active little girl was ordered to stay still while recovering from risky spine surgery — but nobody could keep her from getting back on her feet.
Our Care Team
- Hansen-MacDonald Professor of Neurological Surgery
- Director of Spinal Surgery
Phone: 212-746-2152
- Orthopedic Surgeon
- Director, Orthopedic Spine Surgery
Phone: 212-746-1164
- Clinical Associate Professor of Neurosurgery
- Attending Neurosurgeon
Phone: 888-922-2257
- Director, Neurosurgical Radiosurgery
- Professor of Clinical Neurological Surgery
- Robert G. Schwager, MD ’67 Education Scholar, Cornell University
Phone: 212-746-2438
- Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery, Spinal Surgery
- Co-Director, Spinal Deformity and Scoliosis Program
- Chief of Neurological Surgery, NYP Lower Manhattan
Phone: 212-746-2260
- Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery
Phone: 646-962-3388
- Chief of Neurological Surgery, NewYork-Presbyterian Queens
- Co-director, Weill Cornell Medicine CSF Leak Program
Phone: (718) 670-1837
- Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery, Spine Surgery
Phone: 718-670-1837 (Queens) / 888-922-2257 (Manhattan)
- Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery
Phone: 866-426-7787 (Manhattan) / 646-967-2020 (Brooklyn)
- Vice Chairman for Academic Affairs
- Professor of Neurological Surgery, Pediatric Neurosurgery
- Associate Residency Director
Phone: 212-746-2363
- Victor and Tara Menezes Clinical Scholar in Neuroscience
- Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery in Pediatrics
Phone: 212-746-2363
- Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery
Phone: (718) 670-1837
Reviewed by: Rohan Ramakrishna, M.D.
Last reviewed/last updated: August 2023