Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses specialized drugs either to kill cancer cells or to help manage side effects of cancer.
Providing you the comprehensive, expert care you need
When abnormal tissue (tumor) grows within or around your spinal cord, it can put you at risk for serious complications. The rigid bony structures of your skull and spine house your central nervous system.
Tumor growth can put pressure on these nerves and tissues, and may interfere with your body’s ability to function normally.
Spinal tumors can develop in different ways. Primary spinal tumors start in the spinal tissue and nerves or the bones of the spinal column. Metastatic tumors originate from somewhere else in the body. They can start as lung cancer, breast cancer or colon cancer and spread (metastasize) to your spine. In some cases, genetic diseases cause primary spinal tumors. In most cases, physicians do not know the cause of primary spinal tumors.
Spinal tumors can develop in different ways. Primary spinal tumors start in the spinal tissue and nerves or the bones of the spinal column. Metastatic tumors originate from somewhere else in the body. They can start as lung cancer, breast cancer or colon cancer and spread (metastasize) to your spine. In some cases, genetic diseases cause primary spinal tumors. In most cases, physicians do not know the cause of primary spinal tumors.
The complexity of spinal tumors, whether cancerous or not, demands special care. At the Indiana University Health Neuroscience Center, your physician will use a collaborative approach to determine the best treatment for you. Experts include:
Your physicians will work with the IU School of Medicine and Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health to deliver specialized, individualized care and leading-edge research. Your physicians will offer comprehensive neurological services at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health including our neurofibromatosis clinic, the only one of its kind in the state.
IU Health researchers conduct leading-edge investigations into adult and pediatric spinal tumors and offer state-of-the-art treatments that deliver targeted doses of radiation. In addition, your physicians will use the latest surgical techniques to personalize and deliver the best care options available for you.
The specific treatment for your spinal tumor depends on its type, location, size and rate of growth. Treatments generally include:
To deliver the best outcomes, IU Health physicians will perform comprehensive diagnostic tests to fully understand your condition. Your treatment plan will follow and may include medicines, neurosurgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Diagnostic tests and treatments may include:
The complexity of spinal tumors, whether cancerous or not, demands special care. At the Indiana University Health Neuroscience Center, your physician will use a collaborative approach to determine the best treatment for you. Experts include:
Your physicians will work with the IU School of Medicine and Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health to deliver specialized, individualized care and leading-edge research. Your physicians will offer comprehensive neurological services at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health including our neurofibromatosis clinic, the only one of its kind in the state.
IU Health researchers conduct leading-edge investigations into adult and pediatric spinal tumors and offer state-of-the-art treatments that deliver targeted doses of radiation. In addition, your physicians will use the latest surgical techniques to personalize and deliver the best care options available for you.
The specific treatment for your spinal tumor depends on its type, location, size and rate of growth. Treatments generally include:
To deliver the best outcomes, IU Health physicians will perform comprehensive diagnostic tests to fully understand your condition. Your treatment plan will follow and may include medicines, neurosurgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Diagnostic tests and treatments may include:
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