Microsurgical Removal of Spinal Cord Tumors: A Safe Return to a Full Life

The phrase “spinal cord tumor” sounds like a death sentence. The greatest fear that grips the patient and their relatives at this moment is the fear of ending up in a wheelchair. However, it is important to know: most tumors that arise in the spinal canal and press on the spinal cord (meningiomas, neuromas, schwannomas) are benign. They can be successfully and safely removed, fully restoring a person’s health.

At St. Luke’s Clinic (Banchery village), spinal cord surgeries are performed by highly qualified neurosurgeons. Thanks to modern microsurgical technologies, we are able to delicately separate the tumor from the finest nerve structures, preserving the patient’s ability to move freely.

How to recognize the danger? (Symptoms of a spinal cord tumor)

The tumor grows inside the narrow spinal canal. As it grows, it begins to compress the spinal cord or the nerve roots that branch off from it. Symptoms develop gradually and depend on which section (cervical, thoracic, or lumbar) the neoplasm is located in:

• Back pain: unlike ordinary osteochondrosis, this pain often worsens at night or when lying down, and is poorly relieved by conventional painkillers.
• Sensory disturbances: a feeling of “crawling ants,” tingling, numbness, or decreased sensitivity to heat/cold in the arms, legs, or torso (depending on the tumor level).
• Weakness in the limbs (paresis): the patient finds it difficult to walk, the legs quickly tire, become “disobedient” or “cottony.” Objects may fall from the hands.
• Dysfunction of pelvic organs: problems with urination or bowel movements (incontinence or, conversely, retention) — this is an alarming signal of severe spinal cord compression.

Diagnosis: finding the problem with millimeter precision

The only reliable method that allows visualizing the spinal cord, membranes, and the tumor itself is MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) with contrast enhancement. The contrast agent “accumulates” in the tumor, allowing the neurosurgeon to clearly see its boundaries, size, and connection to the spinal cord before surgery.

How is the operation performed at St. Luke’s Clinic? (Our advantages)

The main task of the neurosurgeon is not just to remove the tumor, but to do it in such a way as to preserve the patient’s quality of life (not to damage the nerve pathways).

1. High-precision microsurgery: The operation is performed under a powerful modern operating microscope. The surgeon sees the operating field with multiple magnification. Using special miniature micro-instruments, he literally separates the tumor from the spinal cord millimeter by millimeter.
2. Microdecompression: As soon as the tumor is removed, the pressure on the spinal cord disappears. In many patients, neurological functions (strength in the legs, sensitivity) begin to recover almost immediately after surgery.
3. Histological control: All removed tissue is necessarily sent to the laboratory. This is necessary to confirm the benign nature of the process and determine further observation tactics.
4. Stabilization (if necessary): If the tumor was large and part of the vertebral arches had to be removed to access it, the surgeon installs a modern titanium system. This restores reliable support to the spine.

Rehabilitation and return to life

Thanks to the microsurgical approach, tissue trauma is minimized.

• After the operation, the patient stays in a comfortable hospital at St. Luke’s Clinic under round-the-clock supervision of medical staff.
• We provide quality pain relief, so the postoperative period is as easy as possible.
• Already on the 1st-2nd day (depending on the complexity of the operation), the patient is allowed to sit up and take their first steps under the supervision of rehabilitation doctors.

A spinal cord tumor is a serious challenge, but it can and must be fought. Entrust your health to the team of experienced neurosurgeons at St. Luke’s Clinic, who save lives every day and restore patients’ freedom of movement!