By Dr Tony Setiobudi BMedSci, MBBS, MRCS, MMed (Ortho), FRCS (Ortho)
Have you ever experienced lower back pain?
Most of us tend to underestimate lower back pain, which in most cases will go away on its own with rest. However, it might not be just ordinary back pain. While back pain related to muscle problems and degenerative conditions is generally not serious, it can become a serious issue if caused by a tumor.
The following is an example of a spinal tumor case.
Mrs. Maria (not her real name), 42 years old, had been experiencing lower back pain for 3 months. She lost 5 kg in weight. Two days before visiting the doctor, she suddenly couldn’t walk due to severe weakness in her legs. A complete medical examination revealed that Mrs. Maria had a spinal tumor compressing the nerves. The tumor had spread from the colon (primary tumor). The compressed nerves caused weakness in the leg muscles to the point that she could no longer walk. She underwent surgery to remove the tumor, relieve the pressure on the nerves, and stabilize the spine. After the surgery, Mrs. Maria was able to walk normally again. She then received chemotherapy and radiotherapy to eliminate the remaining tumor.
A spinal tumor is a dangerous cause of lower back pain that requires immediate treatment. This type of tumor can grow rapidly and unexpectedly. If it compresses the nerves, the patient may experience sudden paralysis. Spinal tumors often result from the spread of cancer cells from other parts of the body, such as the colon, prostate, breast, and others. Many patients complain of lower back pain without any other symptoms, just like in Mrs. Maria’s case. With a complete examination, spinal tumors and their origin (primary tumor) can be identified and treated thoroughly. If patients ignore lower back pain, the tumor may go undetected or only be discovered when it has reached a more severe stage.
What kind of lower back pain should not be ignored?
Most cases of lower back pain are not dangerous. However, if back pain is accompanied by significant weight loss, becomes worse during rest, or persists for more than a month without improving, the patient should see a doctor immediately to determine whether the cause might be a tumor.
Why does a spinal tumor cause back pain?
Spinal tumors can cause back pain for several reasons:
- The tumor makes the spine unstable.
- The tumor weakens the spine and makes it prone to fractures. Back pain may suddenly worsen if a fracture occurs in the spine.
- The tumor can compress the nerves, causing back pain that sometimes radiates to the legs, abdomen, or chest.
Why is it important to detect a spinal tumor early?
Over time, the tumor can grow larger. If detected while still small, surgery is much easier compared to when the tumor is already large. It’s even better to operate before the tumor compresses the nerves and causes paralysis.
So don’t ignore lower back pain that doesn’t get better—especially if it’s accompanied by weight loss or worsens at rest. See a doctor right away to find out the cause.
Dr. Tony Setiobudi is an orthopedic surgeon and a spine surgery super-specialist at Mount Elizabeth Hospital (Orchard), Singapore. He treats conditions related to the bones, joints, nerves, muscles, and ligaments in both adults and children. Dr. Tony has special expertise in managing pinched nerves (HNP & spinal stenosis) and various spine-related issues such as back and neck pain, scoliosis, kyphosis (hunched posture), spinal tumors and infections, major spinal cord injuries, and osteoporotic fractures.
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