Is My Back Pain a Spine Tumor?
Most adults deal with back pain at some point. Usually the cause is simple, like a pulled muscle, sitting at a computer for too long, or lifting a box the wrong way. This pain often gets better on its own in a few weeks.
Rarely, back pain can be a sign of something more serious, such as a spine tumor. It isn’t always easy to know when to wait it out and when to see a doctor. Some symptoms, like pain that wakes you up at night, need attention.
This article explains common causes of back pain, how tumor pain can feel different, warning signs to watch for, and how Dickinson Neurological Surgery diagnoses and treats spine tumors.
Common Causes of Back Pain
Most back pain comes from problems with the muscles, discs, or nerves in the spine.
Common causes include:
- Muscle strain: A muscle in your back gets overstretched or torn, often from lifting, twisting, or a sudden movement. It may ache when you bend but feel better once you lie down.
- Herniated disc: The discs between your vertebrae have a soft, gel-like center. When that center pushes out, it can press on a nerve. A long drive often makes it worse, while a short walk can ease the pain.
- Spinal stenosis: The space around your spinal cord narrows, often with age, and puts pressure on the nerves. Sitting down or leaning forward, like on a shopping cart, often reduces pain.
- Sciatica: A sharp or burning pain shoots from your lower back down the back of one leg, sometimes all the way to your foot. It usually comes from a herniated disc or stenosis pressing on the sciatic nerve.
Pain from these causes usually changes with activity. It may get better with rest, gentle movement, or a change in position.
How Tumor Pain Feels Different
Tumor pain differs from regular back pain because it often doesn’t let up, no matter how you sit, stand, or lie down. A strained muscle or herniated disc eases when you take pressure off of it, but a tumor presses on the spinal cord or nerves in any position. Pain relievers may not help much, and coughing or sneezing can make it flare.
The pain often gets worse at night. This may be because lying flat changes the fluid pressure around your spinal cord. Some tumors also release chemicals that cause more pain when you rest.
Where and how it hurts can also be different. Spine tumors most often grow in the middle of the back and behind the chest, though they can also affect the lower back or neck. The pain may feel dull, sharp, or burning, and it can spread into your chest, hips, arms, or legs.
Watch for the Warning Signs
Pain by itself doesn’t always mean you have a tumor. What stands out is back pain that doesn’t get better, or back pain that comes with other changes in your body.
Look out for these signs:
- Numbness, tingling, and weakness: Your legs may feel heavy when you use the stairs, or your fingers might have trouble pressing buttons. These symptoms can mean a nerve is being pressed.
- Trouble with balance and coordination: Walking feels unsteady, or you may notice you bump into things more than usual.
- Bowel or bladder changes: Losing control or suddenly struggling to go to the bathroom can mean pressure on nerves in your lower back.
- Pain that keeps getting worse: Weeks go by, and instead of fading, the pain grows stronger or spreads.
When to See a Doctor
Back pain from a strain or disc problem usually improves within a few weeks. If yours hasn’t, or it’s getting worse, see a doctor. Getting checked early can help your doctor find the cause and protect your nerves from more damage.
Go to the emergency room if you suddenly lose control of your bladder or bowels, or if your legs become weak without warning. These signs can mean your spinal nerves are under serious pressure.
Get an Accurate Diagnosis
A diagnosis starts with a conversation and an exam. Your doctor will ask when your pain started and what makes it better or worse. A neurological exam checks your strength, reflexes, and balance to see whether a nerve is involved.
If your doctor sees anything concerning, the next step is imaging. An X-ray shows the bones in your spine. A CT scan gives a closer look at the bones. An MRI shows soft tissues like the spinal cord and nerves, so it’s often the best test for finding a tumor.
For most people, these tests reveal a common cause for back pain rather than a tumor.
Spine Tumor Treatment at Dickinson Neurological Surgery
Dickinson Neurological Surgery is a neurosurgery practice in Idaho Falls that cares for patients across Eastern Idaho. Our team diagnoses and treats both cancerous and noncancerous spine tumors, and we work with your other doctors when your care involves more than one specialist.
If you have a small tumor that isn’t causing symptoms, we may watch it with regular scans. Radiation or chemotherapy can shrink or slow some tumors. When a tumor presses on your spinal cord or nerves, our surgeons can remove it and stabilize your spine if the bones are weak.
We build your treatment plan around the type of tumor, how severe your symptoms are, and how much the tumor affects your daily life.
Contact Us
If you have persistent back pain, our team can help you find the cause. We also offer second opinions and can walk you through your treatment options.
Reach out today to schedule an appointment.