Step 1
Detailed Consultation
Symptom onset, night pain, progressive symptoms, known cancer, and daily functional impact are discussed to build a complete clinical picture.
Spinal Tumor Treatment in Dubai
A Spinal Tumor Diagnosis Deserves Expert Hands and a Clear Plan
Receiving a spinal tumour diagnosis can feel frightening and uncertain.
At our clinic, every patient is seen by Dr. Michael with the seriousness that diagnosis deserves. A thorough spinal tumor diagnosis, a precise understanding of the tumour classification – benign or malignant – and a personalised plan for treatment for spinal cord tumors are provided from the very first appointment.
What Is a Spinal Tumor?
A spinal tumor is an abnormal growth of cells within or around the spinal cord, vertebrae, or spinal canal – either a primary tumor originating in the spine, or a secondary tumor spreading from elsewhere through metastatic spread.
Contributing factors include gene mutations, environmental factors and conditions such as Neurofibromatosis 2 and Von Hippel-Lindau disease.
Spinal Cord Tumor Symptoms You Should Not Ignore
Spinal tumors often grow slowly, making early symptoms easy to dismiss. These are the spinal cord tumor symptoms that warrant prompt specialist assessment:
Back or Neck Pain
Non-mechanical back pain that intensifies at rest or at night - not with movement - is one of the earliest warning signs of a spinal tumour.
Pain In Arms or Legs
Spreading pain or a burning sensation from the spine into the limbs, caused by tumor pressure on the nerve roots or spinal cord.
Progressive Weakness in the Limbs
Gradually worsening muscle weakness in the arms or legs without a clear cause, indicating spinal cord involvement or nerve root compression.
Numbness or Loss of Sensation
Numbness, pins and needles, or diminished sensitivity to heat or cold in the trunk or limbs - intermittent at first, progressive over time.
Difficulty Walking or Loss of Balance
Difficulty walking, an unsteady gait, or loss of coordination reflecting spinal cord compression on the nerve pathways controlling movement.
Loss of Bladder or Bowel Function
Any unexplained change in bladder dysfunction or bowel dysfunction is a neurological red flag requiring immediate urgent imaging.
Types of Spinal Tumors
Intramedullary Tumors
Intramedullary spinal cord tumors - most commonly ependymomas and astrocytomas ranging from WHO Grade I to higher-grade variants - develop within the spinal cord tissue itself, making them technically among the most demanding to treat.
Intradural Extramedullary Tumor
Intradural-extramedullary tumors including meningiomas, schwannomas, and neurofibromas grow within the cord's protective covering but outside the cord - typically benign and often curable with spinal tumor surgery with excellent resection outcomes.
Extradural (Vertebral) Tumors
Extradural tumors most commonly arise through metastatic spread from breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, or kidney cancer, causing spinal instability and requiring coordinated oncological and surgical management.
Metastatic Spinal Tumors
Pain driven by poor posture, repetitive movements, or inadequate workplace ergonomics - highly responsive to posture correction and targeted physiotherapy.
How Is a Spinal Tumor Diagnosed?
Step 2
Neurological Examination
Motor strength, sensation, reflexes, and coordination are assessed using Frankel grading or ASIA grading to determine the level of spinal cord or nerve root involvement.
Step 3
MRI Scan
MRI with gadolinium contrast is the gold standard, providing precise imaging of tumor margins, spinal cord, nerve roots, and soft tissues - defining the tumor's nature, size, and location.
Step 4
CT Scan, PET Scan & Biopsy
A CT scan evaluates bone destruction and fracture risk. A PET scan and blood panel - including tumour markers - are used where systemic disease is suspected. A CT-guided biopsy confirms tumour classification before treatment begins.
Spinal Tumor Treatment in Dubai: A Plan Built Around You
Treatment for spinal cord tumors is shaped by tumor type, location, WHO grade, and overall health. Every option is reviewed in full at Michael Spine Surgeon before any recommendation is made.
Surgery
Spinal tumor surgery is performed using microsurgical resection, spinal cord decompression, and minimally invasive techniques - guided by intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) and spinal neuronavigation to protect neurological function throughout.
Radiation Therapy
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and radiation therapy control radiosensitive tumors - including lymphoma, myeloma, and metastatic deposits - as primary treatment or post-operative adjunct, delivered with precision to protect surrounding neural structures.
Chemotherapy
For chemosensitive tumours including lymphoma, myeloma, and germ cell tumors, a tailored chemotherapy schedule is developed with specialist oncologists, coordinated directly within the spinal tumor treatment in Dubai pathway.
Holistic Support
Targeted medical interventions (medication, nerve blocks, and procedures) combine with psychological support, occupational therapy, and rehabilitation to manage physical pain while addressing emotional and functional needs throughout recovery.
Why Do Patients Trust Us?
01
Specialist Expertise in Spinal Tumor Surgery
A fellowship-trained spine surgeon with dedicated experience across intramedullary, intradural-extramedullary, and metastatic spinal tumor surgery - from benign resectable tumours to complex vertebrectomy and reconstruction.
02
Diagnosis Before Any Decision
No treatment is recommended without a confirmed spinal tumor diagnosis and clear tumour classification - explained fully before any plan is put in place.
03
Multidisciplinary Tumor Care
Neurosurgeons, oncologists, radiologists, and rehabilitation specialists work together on every case - coordinating oncological follow-up, radiotherapy timing, and structured surveillance.
04
Patients Are Never Left Without Answers
Clear, honest answers are provided at every stage. Patients are fully informed and involved in every decision about their spinal oncology care.
Being told I had a spinal tumor was the most frightening moment of my life. Dr. Michael explained the diagnosis clearly, took his time answering every question, and put a surgical plan in place that gave me real confidence. The outcome has been better than I ever hoped.
My back pain had been dismissed as stress for over a year. It was Dr. Michael who identified the tumor and acted immediately. The speed and precision of the care I received genuinely saved my quality of life.
After a metastatic tumor was found on my spine, I needed a team I could trust completely. Dr. Michael coordinated everything, from the surgery to the oncology follow-up. I never felt alone in the process.
The surgery for my intradural tumor was explained step by step before it took place. The neuromonitoring used during the procedure meant that my movement and sensation were fully preserved. I am incredibly grateful.
What I appreciated most was that monitoring was recommended first rather than rushing to surgery. My tumor has remained stable and I feel fully in control of my situation because the team keeps me informed at every review.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common spinal cord tumor symptoms?
Non-mechanical back pain worsening at night, radiating pain into the limbs, muscle weakness, numbness, pins and needles, difficulty walking, radiculopathy, myelopathy, scoliosis, kyphosis, and changes in bladder or bowel function - varying by tumor location and size.
Is every spinal tumor cancerous?
No. Benign tumors including meningiomas, schwannomas, and low-grade ependymomas are often curable with spinal tumor surgery. Malignant types including high-grade astrocytomas, chordoma, spinal lymphoma, and multiple myeloma require combined surgical and oncological management.
How is a spinal tumor diagnosed?
Through medical history, neurological examination, MRI with gadolinium for tumor visualisation, CT scanning for bone destruction and fracture risk, and CT-guided biopsy for histological confirmation of tumour classification.
What does spinal tumor surgery involve?
Microsurgical resection, spinal cord decompression, vertebrectomy, and anterior column reconstruction - all performed with intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) to protect motor and sensory function throughout.
Can a spinal tumor be treated without surgery?
Yes. Small asymptomatic benign intradural tumors are monitored with serial MRI at 6 to 12 months. Radiosensitive tumours may receive primary radiotherapy, and metastatic spinal tumors are often managed with combined radiation, chemotherapy, and surgical stabilisation.