The Link Between Tumors and Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

For a while, you might chalk up back pain to aging. You are dealing with back pain and tingling and numbness in your extremities, but now the symptoms are worsening, and you start to suspect something is wrong. 

If that sounds familiar, you could be living with lumbar spinal stenosis. This condition is diagnosed when the spinal column in your lumbar spine (your low back) narrows, putting pressure on nearby nerves. As a specialist in this condition, Patrick S Hill, MD, can help. Just as importantly, at our office in Beverly Grove, Los Angeles, California, Dr. Hill can determine what’s causing your stenosis.

For some people, it’s a tumor. 

How tumors cause spinal stenosis

Your spinal column contains many moving parts — and a lot of very sensitive nerves. Theoretically, there should be sufficient space in the column for everything to co-exist. But even a little bit of narrowing in the area can put pressure where you don’t want it, causing spinal stenosis and its unwelcome symptoms. 

In some cases, spinal column narrowing comes from an injury to the area or a separate condition, like rheumatoid arthritis. In other cases, something growing in the area — a tumor — could be putting pressure on the nearby nerves. 

If a tumor is the cause of your spinal column narrowing, your symptoms will likely worsen as it grows. If you notice these symptoms, don’t wait to talk to Dr. Hill:

• Back pain
• Tingling and numbness
• Cramping and pain in your legs
• Leg or foot weakness 

If that sounds familiar, book an appointment. At our office, Dr. Hill can help determine if your stenosis is due to a growing mass or another issue. 

What to do if you have a spinal tumor 

First, don’t panic. While some spinal tumors are cancerous, yours could be a primary spinal tumor. That means it formed directly on your spine and is likely benign. 

Secondly, know that your tumor can be treated. Because Dr. Hill is an expert minimally invasive surgeon with extensive spinal cord expertise, he can remove the tumor. In fact, he has experience with spinal surgery for both spinal tumors and lumbar spinal stenosis. 

Using minimally invasive surgical techniques means we can eliminate the tumor through tiny incisions, reducing your risk of complications and extensive downtime. 

Learning that your back pain comes from spinal column narrowing due to a tumor can be alarming. Fortunately, eliminating the tumor — and your painful symptoms — is safer and easier than you may expect. 

Don’t wait to address your back pain. Call our office or schedule your appointment online.