Here at Pasadena CyberKnife, we’re well-equipped to treat patients throughout the greater Pasadena, CA area with our effective cancer therapy options. With our CyberKnife system, our oncology center offers an alternative to spinal tumor surgery with this non-invasive, convenient cancer treatment. The absolute key to a successful cancer treatment though – much like all other forms of cancer – is to visit your cancer doctor at your radiation center for early detection and treatment as soon as you notice any symptoms. Being prepared is a huge part of the battle and we want to help you in that regard by providing you with some additional information and facts on spinal cancer.
Spinal Cancer Statistics
Because spinal cancer is closely related to brain cancer, statistics for the two can often be lumped together, including in this research by the American Cancer Society (ACS). Based on historical data, the ACS has estimated that approximately 23,890 malignant tumors of the brain or spinal cord will be found in 2020 and there will be 18,020 that will die from these types of cancer.
Having mentioned that, spinal cancer itself is a relatively rare condition, though men tend to develop it more often than women. Approximately 1-in-140 men will develop it in their lifetime while only 1-in-180 women will get this disease.
Grades of Spinal Cancer
The grading process of spinal cancer is a way to determine the spread of cancer beyond the original site – and also how you’ll need to undergo cancer treatment. Because it’s rare for spinal tumors to spread outside of the central nervous system, spinal cancer is graded rather than staged like other cancers. The grades for spinal cancer are as follows:
- Grade 1 – The tumor grows slowly and rarely ever spreads into any nearby tissue.
- Grade 2 – The tumor grows slowly, but can also spread into nearby tissue or recur.
- Grade 3 – The tumor grows quickly and is likely to spread into nearby tissue. The tumor cells look different from normal cells.
- Grade 4 – The tumor grows and spreads very quickly. The tumor cells look very different from normal cells. Also, metastatic brain disease is almost always grade 4.
- Metastatic – This is a secondary type of cancer where tumors have spread to the spine after originating from another part of the body, such as the kidney, breast, or prostate. Metastatic spinal cancer is much more common than primary spinal tumors.
Spinal Cancer Risk Factors
While the exact cause of spinal cancer is unknown, there are a variety of risk factors that play a part in a patient potentially developing it. These include:
- Having a prior history of cancer.
- Having a compromised immune system.
- Being exposed to industrial chemicals or radiation therapy.
- Having a hereditary disorder such as Von Hippel-Lindau disease or neurofibromatosis
Visit Your Pasadena Radiation Center for Your Spinal Tumor Surgery!
If you’d like to schedule an appointment with your cancer doctor for cancer treatment, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at (626) 768-1021. If you have any questions about our oncology center or our services, feel free to contact us. We’re looking forward to hearing from you and helping you live as healthy of a life as possible with our cancer therapy!