Introduction

• Origin: Spinal neoplasia can be either: primary, result from extension of a neoplastic process into the spinal canal or can occur through metastasis of tumor from a distant location.
• Classification: Tumors involving spine and spinal cord can be classified as to location of tumor relative to dura and spinal cord parenchyma. They can arise in extradural, intradural/extramedullary or intramedullary spaces.
• Extradural tumors: Most common and include primary and secondary bone tumors (osteosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, chondrosarcoma), hemangiosarcoma, various carcinomas, multiple myeloma and other plasma cell tumors and lipomas, liposarcomas and lymphosarcomas. Epidural lymphosarcoma is a common spinal tumor in cats.
• Tumors arising in the intradural but extramedullary location: Include nerve sheath tumors and meningiomas.
• Tumors arising within the spinal cord parenchyma: Include astrocytomas, ependymomas and oligodendrogliomas.

Pathogenesis

Pathophysiology

• Spinal neoplasia can:
  • Be primary.
  • Result from extension of a neoplastic process into spinal canal.
  • Occur through metastasis of tumor from a distant location. Cell of origin will determine tumor type.
• Extradural tumors are most common and include:
  • Primary and secondary bone tumors (osteosarcoma Osteosarcoma , fibrosarcoma Fibrosarcoma , chondrosarcoma Chondrosarcoma ).
  • Hemangiosarcoma Hemangiosarcoma.
  • Various carcinomas.
  • Multiple myeloma Myeloma and other plasma cell tumors.
  • Lipomas, liposarcomas, and lymphosarcoma Lymphoma.
• Epidural lymphosarcoma is a common spinal tumor in cats.
• Tumors arising in the intradural but extramedullary location include:
  • Nerve sheath tumors Nerve sheath: neoplasia.
  • Meningiomas Meningioma.
• Tumors arising within the spinal cord parenchyma  include:
  • Astrocytomas Brain: neoplasia.
  • Ependymomas Brain: ependymoma.
  • Oligodendrogliomas.

Timecourse

• Clinical signs of a spinal tumor may occur acutely or be prolonged over weeks to months.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Outcomes