Neoplasms of the spinal canal

Neoplasms of the spinal canal encompass a range of tumors which arise from or involve the spinal cord, theca, and spinal nerves.

Pathology

These can be divided according to the tissue/structure of origin within the spinal canal. Tumors of vertebral bodies are discussed separately: see vertebral body tumors. 

Spinal cord (intramedullary)

• spinal ependymoma
• spinal astrocytoma (diffuse)
• spinal pilocytic astrocytoma
• spinal hemangioblastoma
• spinal cord metastasis (intramedullary)
• spinal leptomeningeal metastases (these can mimic exophytic tumors)
• spinal primitive neuroectodermal tumors
• spinal lymphoma/leukemia
• spinal ganglioglioma

See also the article on intramedullary spinal tumors

Intradural extramedullary

• spinal meningioma
• spinal nerve sheath tumors
  • spinal schwannoma
  • spinal neurofibroma
• spinal leptomeningeal metastases

See also the article on intradural extramedullary spinal neoplasms

Cauda equina and filum terminale

• myxopapillary ependymoma
• spinal nerve sheath tumors
  • spinal schwannoma
  • spinal neurofibroma
• spinal paraganglioma
• spinal lymphoma/leukemia
• metastases

See also the article on neoplasms of the cauda equina

See also

• intradural spinal mass lesions: an approach