Children & families · Conditions
Spinal cord tumours
Tumours within or around the spinal cord. Uncommon in children; surgery uses neuromonitoring to protect function.
What is it?
Spinal cord tumours in children are uncommon. They may grow within the spinal cord itself (intramedullary tumours, most often low-grade astrocytomas or ependymomas), or around it, pressing on the cord and nerves. Many are slow-growing.
What symptoms can it cause?
Symptoms often develop gradually and may include back or neck pain, often worse at night or lying down, weakness or clumsiness of the legs or arms, changes in walking or frequent falls, a curvature of the spine (scoliosis), or changes in bladder or bowel control. Young children may regress in walking or become irritable.
How is it assessed?
Your child will be examined, and an MRI scan of the spine (and usually the brain) shows the tumour. The case is discussed at the multidisciplinary tumour board.
What are the treatment options?
Surgery to remove as much tumour as is safely possible is often the main treatment, using intraoperative neuromonitoring to check the function of the spinal cord and nerves during the operation. Depending on the type and how much can be removed, further treatment may include chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or observation with regular scans.
When might surgery be considered?
Surgery is usually considered when a tumour is causing symptoms or growing, and to obtain a diagnosis. The aim is to remove the tumour while protecting function; the options, benefits and risks are discussed with you in detail.
What to expect from recovery and follow-up
Children usually stay in hospital for about a week. Some have temporary weakness or numbness, and rehabilitation with physiotherapy is important. Follow-up includes regular MRI scans and monitoring of the spine for curvature as your child grows.
When to seek urgent help
If your child is very drowsy, difficult to wake, has a seizure, repeated vomiting or a severe headache, go to the nearest emergency unit or call 10177. If your child is under our care, also call the hospital switchboard and ask for Dr Labuschagne (Netcare Unitas Hospital 012 677 8000; Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital 010 133 0600). New weakness, numbness, back pain or changes in bladder or bowel control also need prompt review.
Dr Labuschagne's publications on this topic
- Neethling W, Labuschagne J, Mutyaba D, Pillay T, Perner Y. Epstein-Barr virus-associated smooth muscle tumour involving the spine of an HIV-infected patient: a case report. Wits Journal of Neuroscience. 2023;4:10-13.
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This page is general information for parents and caregivers. Your child's doctor will advise on what applies to your child.