Classification of Spinal Cord Tumors
Primary central nervous system spinal cord tumors comprise approximately
1% to 2% of all childhood nervous system tumors.[1-3] As is the case for
primary brain tumors, such lesions are histologically heterogeneous.
Approximately 70% of all intramedullary spinal cord tumors will be low-grade
astrocytomas and/or gangliogliomas. Other tumor types that occur include
ependymomas (refer to the PDQ summary on Childhood Ependymoma Treatment for more information), higher-grade glial tumors, and (rarely) primitive neuroectodermal
tumors (refer to the PDQ summary on Childhood Central Nervous System Embryonal Tumors Treatment for more information). Myxopapillary ependymomas have a tendency to develop in the conus
and cauda equina regions. Symptoms and signs of spinal cord tumors are highly
dependent on the location of the tumor and its extent; some low-grade spinal
cord tumors are associated with large cysts that extend rostrally and caudally. At times it is impossible to
distinguish a tumor that arises in the medulla from a tumor that arises in
the upper cervical cord.
The classification of spinal cord tumors is based on histopathologic
characteristics of the tumor and does not differ from that of primary brain
tumors.[1-3]
References
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Constantini S, Miller DC, Allen JC, et al.: Radical excision of intramedullary spinal cord tumors: surgical morbidity and long-term follow-up evaluation in 164 children and young adults. J Neurosurg 93 (2 Suppl): 183-93, 2000.
[PUBMED Abstract]
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Bouffet E, Pierre-Kahn A, Marchal JC, et al.: Prognostic factors in pediatric spinal cord astrocytoma. Cancer 83 (11): 2391-9, 1998.
[PUBMED Abstract]
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Hardison HH, Packer RJ, Rorke LB, et al.: Outcome of children with primary intramedullary spinal cord tumors. Childs Nerv Syst 3 (2): 89-92, 1987.
[PUBMED Abstract]
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