Spinal tumors are growths that develop on the bones and ligaments of the spine, on the spinal cord, or on nerve roots. These tumors can be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant).
Malignant tumors rarely start in the spine. They are usually tumors that have spread from other parts of the body, particularly the breast, prostate gland, thyroid gland, or kidney.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise