Tumours affecting the spine can arise either locally, from the structures of the spine (primary tumours), or spread to the spine from elsewhere in the body. When they are found away from an original cancerous growth, these tumours are sometimes called secondaries or metastases.

Benign spinal tumours

These usually occur inside the membrane surrounding the spinal cord and nerves. They occur much less frequently in the bones of the spine. Consequently, benign spinal tumours rarely disturb the strength of the bony structure of the spinal column. However, sometimes surgical removal of them can do so and benign tumours can also cause nerve disturbance, depending on their size and location.

Secondary deposits from cancer

These may be multiple and typically come from cancers of the lung, breast, prostate or bowel. Since most of these spinal secondaries are in the bone, there may be weakness of the structure of the spine. There may also be compression of the spinal cord or spinal nerve roots in the spinal canal.