How spinal tumors are diagnosed
An accurate spinal tumor diagnosis is the first and most important step in receiving the best possible treatment for spinal cord and spinal column tumors. For some patients without symptoms, spinal tumors are discovered when undergoing imaging tests for other reasons, such as another condition. Other patients undergo imaging tests because they experience back or neck pain or have other symptoms common in patients with spinal tumors.
Specialists in Penn Medicine’s Spinal Tumor Program provide evaluation and diagnosis for patients with benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) spinal tumors. To diagnose spinal tumors, your provider will ask about your symptoms, do a physical exam, review your medical history, and arrange for blood tests. In addition, your care team will order diagnostic tests and do a neurological examination.
Neurological examination
Your provider will perform a neurological examination during your spinal tumor diagnosis to check for:
- Sensitivity along your spine
- Decreased feeling
- Unusual reflex responses
- Weakened muscles
One-on-one support from diagnosis through treatment
At Penn Medicine, nurse navigation services are provided to all patients to ease their cancer journey. You’ll be paired with an experienced registered nurse who is certified in cancer care. They serve as a single point of contact from diagnosis through the end of treatment and are available by phone, email, and virtual appointments. Working with you on everything from nutrition, pain management, mental health, and financial issues, nurse navigators provide referrals to specialists and resources to enhance your overall quality of life.
Rated “exceptional” by The National Cancer Institute
Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center is a world leader in cancer research, patient care, and education. Our status as a national leader in cancer care is reflected in our continuous designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) since 1973, one of 7 such centers in the United States. The ACC is also a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, one of a select few cancer centers in the U.S., that are working to promote equitable access to high-quality, advanced cancer care.