Spinal Sarcoma Is A Rare But Dangerous Disease

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Spinal sarcoma

Among the many diseases of the spinal column, oncological neoplasms are much less common than oncopathologies of other organs and the skeleton. However, the nature of the disease is such that the tumor is very difficult to detect even during a clinical examination. This is explained not only by unclear symptoms, but also by difficulties in pathomorphological, clinical and instrumental diagnostics.

The manifestations of the symptoms are so diverse that it is not possible to determine the diseased organ with accuracy. Here there are frequent errors in the correctness of the diagnosis, and, as a consequence, the wrongly chosen treatment tactics.

One of the varieties of oncopathologies of the spine is a sarcoma, which develops from the tissue of the spine itself. This is the most aggressive type of tumor, with a short development period - from 1 month to 1 year.

Content:

• Disease symptoms
• Classification and types of oncopathology
• Diagnosis and treatment of the disease
• Causes of the disease

Disease symptoms

• persistent pain in the spinal column;
• limited functions of the spine;
• the forced need to take a special position in which the pains are somewhat dulled;
• neurological disorders;
• drastic weight loss;
• constant fatigue and general serious condition of the patient.

As a rule, with oncopathology of the spine, there is always a disorder of the function of the sphincter of the rectum and urinary tract. As a result, the cancer patient has involuntary defecation and urination.

Classification and types of oncopathology

In practical medicine, several types of this kind of tumors are distinguished, which differ from each other depending on their nature of occurrence:

• localization in the bones - osteosarcoma;
• localization in muscle tissues - fibrosarcoma;
• oncology - chondrosarcoma, cartilaginous origin;
• the tumor of the spinal column is metastatic.

Tumor cells strongly affect the nerve roots of the spine and the spinal cord itself, which has a very negative effect on the patient's condition. It is characteristic that if the sarcoma has developed directly in the spinal cord, then the disease rapidly manifests itself in the conjugated parts of the trunk.

Those types of tumors that have formed outside the spinal cord usually develop for a long period of time, up to a year, before affecting the nerve endings.

If cancer is metastatic in nature, then, as a rule, it is a consequence of the underlying cancer of another organ, and develops very quickly.

Ewing's sarcoma mainly affects the long leg bones and is most common in young adults.

Based on the sites of localization and the level of tumor lesion, there are:

• cervical location;
• chest localization;
• transverse spine;
• the lower section of the spinal tissue.

According to symptomatic signs, tumors of a segmental nature are distinguished, manifested by a violation of the motor-support apparatus, the vascular system, and involuntary movements. Typical manifestations characteristic of localized tumors in the spinal cord are the first "bell" as a result of their appearance.

Initially, the root nerve endings in the area of the spinal tissue are damaged in a rapidly developing oncopathology. They reveal themselves in the form of neuralgic pains, various etiologies of radiculitis. Characterized by pulling, shooting, or comprehensive pain manifestations. Sometimes radicular disorders take on the character of herpes zoster symptoms. Due to this disguise, timely diagnosis of the disease is difficult.

Dysfunction of the locomotor system is manifested in conduction pathologies. Here, parts of the body below the area of the sarcoma are affected and paresis and paralysis may appear as a result of damage to the central nervous system. In this case, the spinal cord is compressed, causing an increase in the turgor of the musculo-ligamentous tissue, the reflexes of a protective nature are pathologically expressed, which contract the tendons.

Diagnosis and treatment of the disease

To start timely treatment, it is necessary not to ignore the first characteristic symptoms of this formidable disease, but to immediately consult a doctor. Clinical examinations, including magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography, ultrasound examination, biopsy for histological examination of the properties of the tumor, carry out a comprehensive and complete diagnosis.

Then a medical council is assembled, including oncologists, radiologists and surgeons to determine the algorithm for the treatment.

Therapeutic tactics of such oncopathology involves the mandatory surgical excision of the tumor, radiation and chemotherapy. Now, oncological surgeons are trying to carry out an operation to remove the sarcoma as accurately as possible in order to preserve the vascular and nerve plexuses in the affected areas in order to preserve the motor and nervous functions of the body.

If you need to remove a limb, the doctors immediately suggest an operation to install a prosthetic device, and if you have to operate on the knee joint, then its maximum preservation is now a common practice.

Only timely treatment can preserve the patient's high quality of life.

Causes of the disease

Scientists studying the problems of oncology put forward many versions of the causes of such a formidable ailment as spinal sarcoma. However, no single exact reason has yet been identified. Probably, there may be various factors that affect the onset of the development of the disease.

This can be a genetic predisposition to the disease, laid down in the embryonic period, and poor ecology, and improper nutrition, and work in hazardous conditions with increased radiation or gas pollution, and injuries that give a sharp impetus to the development of oncopathology.

Therefore, in order to minimize the creation of favorable conditions for the development of the disease, it is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle, providing a balanced diet, feasible physical exercise and, if possible, not expose yourself to unreasonable risks.

The author of the article: Bykov Evgeny Pavlovich | Oncologist, surgeon

Education: graduated from residency at the Russian Scientific Oncological Center. N. N. Blokhin "and received a diploma in the specialty" Oncologist"