Metastases in the spine: symptoms. Metastases in the spine: manifestation

Cancer is a disease that can not be ignored. Moreover, it is important not just to react to the occurrence of a malignant tumor, but to do it as soon as possible. It is also important to know that often the signs of some forms of cancer appear in the back, provoking noticeable symptoms. Metastases in the spine, therefore, deserve special attention.

Relevance of the problem

The appearance of metastases in the back may be a consequence of the formation of a malignant tumor of the prostate and mammary gland, adrenal glands, kidneys and not only. In fact, in the area of the spine can manifest any form of cancer.

Sometimes such reactions are possible even after several years from the end of treatment. In some cases, such signs - metastases in the spine - can make themselves felt after a 20-year period of healthy life. At such times, tumors should be treated with extreme seriousness, otherwise an extremely sad outcome is possible.

As for the fact, in which part of the spine the secondary cancers appear, then it largely depends on the location of the primary tumor. For example, metastases in the cervical spine Show against the background Lymphosarcoma or sarcoma of the nasopharynx. It is also worth noting that secondary signs can make themselves felt before the main focus. Because of this, in some cases, the initial diagnosis is incorrect, although the fact that the patient is being diagnosed is already positive.

Why is this happening

In total, 13% of all diagnosed tumors are metastatic neoplasms located in the area of the vertebral canal. In this case, the tumors themselves can be located both inside the spinal cord and outside it. In the case of the last species, the location is possible under the dura mater and above it.

Often the secondary lesion of the epidural space leads to the appearance of spinal cord compression in oncological patients. This process is caused by the spread of the cervical tumor through the intervertebral foramen.

In such a problem as metastases in the spine, the symptoms allow to accurately diagnose the effect of the tumor in 90% of cases. The cancer cells enter this area of the body through the blood, and in some cases through the lymphatic ways and the lymph.

Main features

Regardless of the health problem, she always has symptoms. Metastases in the spine suggest that the body develops a cancerous tumor. There are a number of features that distinguish them from other diseases that form in the back area:

- rapid development of complete or partial paralysis is possible;

- the pain manifests itself quickly, and similar sensations in the affected spine do not actually change even after using pain medications;

- when the position of the body changes, the degree of pain increases significantly, which leads to a noticeable limitation of mobility;

- along with other signs of the disease, such neurological symptoms as loss of sensation, numbness and tingling are quickly manifested.

It should be understood that such a change in the patient's condition can also be accompanied by a significant deterioration in overall well-being. As a result, the patient has rapid weight loss, a violation of sleep and appetite. All this indicates a metastasis in the spine. Symptoms of this kind are difficult to ignore, but sometimes people even delay the visit to a doctor if they are in serious condition. Do not do this, because timely diagnosis and qualified treatment radically affect life expectancy in the case of cancer.

What can the forecasts be?

Initially, one should understand the fact that the rapid development of symptoms is associated with the rapid progression of metastases. Primary tumor formations grow more slowly (a year and even longer), but here with the secondary the situation is diametrically opposite.

It is for this reason, when such a diagnosis as a metastasis in the spine is fixed, the prognosis is often unfavorable. However, it largely depends on the stage of the disease. In this regard, it is worth repeating once again that the sooner a problem is identified, such as secondary cancers, the greater the chances of a positive outcome.

Also, the fact that metastases in the spine are fixed is of no small importance. Symptoms and manifestations that indicate secondary formations of a previously removed tumor require special treatment.

Clinical picture

Depending on the size and number of formations, symptoms may change. Metastases in the spine are also able to differently affect the patient's condition, developing in certain parts of the spine. This is not surprising, because each vertebra is in close proximity to the arteries and nerve roots, connected to various organs and parts of the body.

When there are metastases in the cervical spine, the symptoms are reduced to pain when trying to rotate the head or tilt it. Also, because of the compression of the vertebral artery, many patients begin to suffer from headaches and periodic dizziness.

The metastases in the lumbar spine are different. Symptoms and changes in the condition require professional diagnosis, as they are very similar to the problems accompanying various kidney diseases.

Sometimes, with such metastases, a strong static tension is possible, which can lead to a fracture of the compression-type vertebrae, which significantly distort the posture. But this is not all, such fractures sometimes cause damage to the spinal cord, which results in partial or complete paralysis of the lower extremities.

When metastases are diagnosed in the thoracic spine, the symptoms are mostly unpleasant or pain in the area between the shoulder blades. It is worth knowing that this type of tumor manifestation becomes noticeable later than others, in view of its anatomical features.

Radicular disorders

In this case, the occurrence of so-called radicular pain is implied. They can appear in the cervical region, and sometimes make themselves felt through the lumbosacral radiculitis. It all depends on where the hearth is located. In some cases, the surrounding nature of pain is possible.

Also, there are positive symptoms of tension and soreness when feeling the spinous processes. Often this symptomatology is accompanied by the formation of zones of reduced and hypersensitivity along the root type. This is a lesion of the thoracic and cervical parts. Other symptoms are also possible - metastases in the spine sometimes lead to oppression of achilles and knee reflexes.

Sometimes the pain completely goes away for a while, but in most cases it means not recovery, but complete destruction of the initially affected nerve root. Subsequently, when the tumor spreads to other nerve fibers, the pain resumes.

Myelitic syndrome

This condition is a consequence of the compression of the spinal cord tumor. Such cases often occur in prostate cancer, thyroid gland, with malignant lesions of the lung and breast.

The compression of this type can be fixed in any part of the spine, but most often the effect on the spinal cord occurs in the thoracic region. Often the degree of increase in pressure increases rapidly, but a slow change in the patient's condition is possible.

In this case, the pain syndrome is manifested much earlier than other symptoms. Metastases in the spine can lead to the development of flaccid paralysis, causing a complete loss of sensitivity of the conductor type. But this happens only when suddenly squeezed.

The pain itself is of a local nature and is felt in the area of tumor lesion of the spine.

Polyneuropathic syndrome

Such a syndrome is characterized by the development of paresthesias, increased sweating of feet and hands, as well as concomitant hyperemia with the suppression of achilles, knee reflexes and eating disorders. In addition, there may be a reduced sensitivity by the type of stockings and gloves in the area of the hands and feet.

In 4% of cases of tumor lesions of the spine, they are informed of intramedullary metastases in the spinal cord.

It is worth knowing about the fact that the diagnosis is most accurately posed in patients with radicular or localized pain, as well as with the expansion of the spinal cord and progressive bilateral paresis.

Metastases in the spine: symptoms before death

In a neglected state, cancer leads to disruption of metabolic processes, and throughout the body. The local symptoms also increase markedly.

This means that the destruction of the spine at the sites of tumor exposure reaches a critical level. There is also severe vomiting and nausea, headaches, anemia.

To the dying symptoms is the change in the rhythm of breathing: it is fast, then almost stops. In severe patients, a decrease or increase in temperature is observed, which is well below the permissible norm. Symptoms of this kind include apathy, indifference and loss of interest in everything that is happening.

Also, a man whose death is near, almost does not eat and drinks very little. All this is accompanied by excessive weakness and drowsiness. Even hallucinations are possible.

The result

Cancer is a disease whose outcome largely depends on timely diagnosis. Therefore, if any signs resembling metastases in the spine were seen, you should immediately go to the hospital. If suspicions are confirmed, professional treatment can significantly prolong the life of the patient.