Treatment of Primary Tumors of the Spinal Axis

Surgery and radiation therapy are the primary modalities used to treat tumors of the spinal axis. Therapeutic options vary according to the histology of the tumor.[1] The experience with chemotherapy for primary spinal cord tumors is limited. No reports of controlled clinical trials are available for these types of tumors.[1,2] Chemotherapy is indicated for most patients with leptomeningeal involvement from a primary or metastatic tumor and positive cerebrospinal fluid cytology.[1] Most patients require treatment with corticosteroids, particularly if they are receiving radiation therapy.

Patients who have spinal axis tumors that are either infrequently curable or unresectable should consider enrollment in clinical trials. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI website.