Spine Tumor Surgery Cost in India

Spine Tumor Surgery Cost in India ranges from USD 4200 to USD 5800.
Depending on cancer tissue type, the success rate of the surgery is 93%.
The stay in the hospital is around 4 days and 8 days outside the hospital.
Tests required prior to the surgery include Blood Tests, X-rays, and MRI scans.

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The type of tumor must be considered in determining a treatment plan. In primary tumors, the goal is to remove the tumor completely. In the case of metastatic tumors, the goal is palliative.

Did you know that 90 percent of spine tumors are resultant of metastatic cancer having origin from different parts of the body?
The best way to avoid the spinal tumor is to diagnose cancer and treat them on as soon as possible basis. However, in the rest of 10 percent of the cases, the origin of the tumor is the spine itself.
The spine, being a very critical part of the body not just for stability but also for carrying the signals from the brain to the rest of the body parts, should be handled skillfully. Spinal Tumor, if not treated well in time, can impact the quality of life drastically including unbearable pain, damaged spine, loss of stability, and compressed nerves.
You should take action fast and get it removed from a skilled spine surgeon in a hospital which has the capability to manage complexities in case it arises.
The right treatment at the right time by the right doctor at the right place can make you live a very normal life and allow you to fulfill your life dreams.

What is the spinal cord?

The spinal cord is an extension of the brain, which is protected by the bony vertebral column. The spinal cord contains numerous nerve bundles that play an essential role in carrying messages to and from the brain to different body parts.
Any abnormal outgrowth or tumor on or around the spinal cord can affect the effective communication between the brain and the spinal cord.
The spinal cord has a narrow passage. Sometimes, the narrow passage of the spinal tumor can restrict the blood supply or block the nerve signals of the spinal cord.

What is a spinal cord tumor?

A spinal cord tumor develops due to abnormal growth of the spinal cord cells or spines in an uncoordinated and uncontrolled manner.

The spinal tumors can be:
Benign or non-cancerous, or Malignant or cancerous
Apart from being cancerous and non-cancerous spinal tumor can be:
Primary tumor: Primary spinal tumor originates in the spine or the spinal cord.
Secondary or metastatic tumor: Secondary spinal tumor develops when the cancer cells metastasize or spread from one part of the body to the spinal cord or the spines.

What is the difference between cancerous and non-cancerous spinal cord tumors?

Spinal cord tumor results from uncoordinated and uncontrolled growth of the nerve cells, sometimes cells present in the vertebral column.
In a few people with spinal cord tumors, the abnormal nerve cell growth is rapid, while in a few people, it is slow.
Generally, cancerous spinal tumors multiply and spread rapidly. Whereas the cells of non-cancerous spinal tumors multiply slowly. Non-cancerous spinal tumors do not spread to other parts of the body.

What are the different types of spinal cord tumors?

Spinal tumors are divided into different types based on the location of the spine -cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacrum.
Based on the location of the tumor in the spine, the spinal tumors are divided into:

Intradural-Extramedullary origin spinal cord tumor

Intradural-extramedullary origin spinal cord tumor is the second most common type of spinal tumor.
Around 40% of spinal tumors originate in the extradural-extramedullary part of the spine. The outer covering of the spinal cord or the dura forms this part of the spinal cord.
The most common of these types of tumors affecting this area are:

• Meningioma 
• Schwannoma, 
• Neurofibroma
• Ependymoma

Intramedullary origin spinal cord tumor

Spinal tumors with Intramedullary origin are rare.
The inner part of the spinal cord forms the intramedullary area.
Typically, intramedullary origin tumors develop from the glial or ependymal cells. Ependymoma and astrocytoma are the most common intramedullary origin spinal cord tumors.

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Extradural origin spinal cord tumors

The part of the spinal cord extending outside the dura forms the extradural space. Around 65% of spinal cord tumors originate in the extradural space.
Generally, intramedullary and intramedullary- extradural origin spinal tumors are non-cancerous.

What are the symptoms of spinal tumors?

Regardless of the location spinal cord tumor causes the following symptoms:

• Pain
• Numbness
• Weakness sometimes causes a lack of coordination in the arms and legs
• Difficulty in controlling urine and bowel movement
• Muscle weakness
• Reduced sensitivity to thermal stimulus

Who is at risk of developing spinal cord tumors?

Primary spinal cord tumors can develop in anyone, but the overall risk of developing spinal cord tumors is minimal. The people at elevated risk of developing spinal cord include:

• Men are at higher risk of developing spinal cord tumors than women.
• Middle-aged and older adults are more prone to develop spinal cord tumor
• Children below nine years are at risk of developing spinal cord tumor
• People having a family or personal history of cancer
• Persons exposed to hazardous gasses or radiation.

What causes spinal cord tumors?

Researchers have not been able to ascertain the exact cause of primary spinal tumors. However, the possible causes for spinal tumor include:

• Infection from certain viruses
• Some genetic disorders
• Exposure to certain hazardous gasses and chemicals
• Prolonged exposure to radiation and harmful rays
• Compromised immune system

How to diagnose spinal cord tumors?

If your doctor suspects a spinal cord tumor, he may advise a few tests, which may include:

Neurological examination

During the neurological examination, your doctor checks for your body reflexes. Sometimes, the doctor may also check your muscle strength.
Apart from checking the reflexes, your doctor may also check your vision, muscle coordination, and balance during the neurological examination.

Diagnostic imaging

With the help of diagnostic imaging, your doctor can get a detailed view of the structures inside the body and about any abnormal outgrowth. With the help of diagnostic imaging techniques, your doctor can get a clear picture of the tumor type, and the best treatment options. 

The various diagnostic imaging techniques used by doctors include:

• Computed Tomography (CT scan): CT scans help detect calcium build-up on the spinal cord. The calcium build-up on the spine can harden and develop into a tumor.  
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): MRI scan is the gold standard for detecting spinal tumors. MRI scans are more sensitive than CT scans. With the help of your MRI scan reports, your doctor can get detailed information about blood flow around the outgrowth and tumor cell density.
• Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan: During a PET scan, the radiologist radioactive laced glucose is injected into the body. Once this radioactive laced glucose enters the bloodstream the doctor traces and measures the radioactive laced glucose consumption by your brain -sugar is used by the brain for providing energy. The area with malignant tissue appears brighter in the scan because malignant tissues use more glucose than normal tissue.
• Angiography (or arteriogram): During angiography, a dye is injected into a major blood vessel. Once the dye is injected a series of X-rays is taken, while the dye flows through your brain. The angiography test helps your doctor to distinguish certain types of tumors.

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Lumbar puncture

A lumbar puncture helps detect cancer cells present in the cerebrospinal fluid. The lumbar puncture is a safe procedure, still, doctors do not advise lumbar puncture until they have your CT or MRI scan reports.

Blood and Urine test

Your doctor may advise you to do a routine blood test to keep a count of your blood cells. Also, your doctor may advise you for a kidney and liver function test to ensure that your organs are functioning efficiently.

What are the different grades of spinal cord tumors?

Spinal cord tumor affects around 20% of people. The different grades of spinal cord tumors show the extent of the spread and growth of the spinal tumor.
The spinal cord tumors are broadly divided into Grade I (the least aggressive), Grade II, Grade III, and Grade IV (the most aggressive). For your better understanding here, are a few features associated with different grades of spinal cord tumor:

Grade I spinal cord tumor

Usually benign or non-cancerous
The tumor grows slowly during this stage
No change in the structure of the cell
Have good prognosis

Grade II spinal cord tumor

During this stage, the spinal cord tumor grows at a slow speed
The structure of the tumor cells starts to change
Cancer begins to spread in the neighboring structures

Grade III spinal cord tumor

The cells-structure becomes abnormal
The cancerous cells begin dividing at a high speed
Cancerous spinal cord cells begin to infiltrate the neighboring structures

Grade IV spinal cord tumor

Cancerous
Very aggressive
The cancer cells multiply abnormally fast
Infiltrate to other parts
The cell loses its structure completely
Angiogenesis or new blood vessels forms around the tumor to provide nutrition

What is spinal cord tumor staging?

Spinal cord tumor staging helps the doctor determine the extent of the spread of
spinal cord cancer. If the spinal cord tumor is secondary, staging is essential. However, staging is not required for primary spinal tumor staging is not required, because primary spinal cord tumors do not metastasize beyond the nervous system.

What are the different treatment options available for spinal cord tumors in India?

Several treatments are available for the treatment of spinal cord tumors in India like:

Surgery

Surgery is the most common approach to remove the primary spinal cord tumor cells. Doctors generally avoid surgery in people with metastatic spinal cord cancer.
However, in people with spinal cord compression, the doctors may suggest surgery despite them having metastatic cancer.

Decompression:

This surgery is to remove the entire tumor or part of it done depending upon several factors, the spinal tumor can be debunked (make smaller), excised (complete removal), or resected (partial removal). These types of procedures decompress or relieve pressure to the spinal cord and nerve roots, thereby helping to reduce pain and other symptoms.
Remobilization: An interventional technique, usually performed by a radiologist, that slows or cuts off the tumor’s blood supply. Remobilization (embolotherapy) causes the tumor to shrink.
Vertebroplasty: A spinal tumor that develops within or invades (metastasize, spread) a vertebra may cause bony compression or fracture. Thus, Kyphoplasty or Vertebroplasty can be recommended in such cases. These procedures involve injection of a surgical bone cement into the fracture site to provide immediate fracture stabilization.

Spinal stabilization:

Spinal stabilization, or spinal immobilization, is necessary for patients who suffer from a great deal of instability in their spine. This instability can be caused by a number of things, including trauma, injury, degenerative disc disease, scoliosis, kyphosis and more. The degree of stabilization necessary will depend on the severity of the condition and the surgeon’s assessment.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is the most preferred treatment method for metastatic spinal cord tumors. During radiation therapy, the radiologist removes the cancer cells using radio waves.
The treatment requires care because the slightest mistake can cause irreversible damage.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy for spinal cord cancer involves oral, intravenous, or intrathecal ( inside the cerebrospinal fluid )administration of anti-cancer cells. Chemotherapy is usually advised for treating spinal gliomas.
Usually, chemotherapy is given in cycles and it generally requires no hospital admission. However, sometimes depending on the drugs used, the doctor may advise the patient a short stay in the hospital post-chemotherapy.

Cyberknife

This is a non-surgical procedure that delivers precisely targeted radiation to treat certain spine tumors. Radiosurgery treatment is administered during one or more sessions using high-dose of radiation. This treatment does not immediately remove the tumor like surgery. Rather, the tumor disappears with time.

What is the cost of spinal cord tumor treatment in India?

The cost for spinal tumor surgery in India ranges between USD $4500 – $6500 depending upon the surgeon and hospital.
The cost for radiotherapy for brain tumors in India ranges between USD $1,000 – $3,500 per sitting.
While the cost for chemotherapy for brain tumor treatment ranges between USD  $300- $1200 per sitting.
While we help you get the best spinal cord tumor treatment in India, we also ensure that the cost for spinal cord tumor surgery is reasonable for you.

What is the success rate of spinal tumor treatment in India?

Spinal tumors primarily arise within the nerve cells or metastasize from other body parts. While the spinal tumor treatment success rate primarily depends on various factors like stage, size, age, gender, and type of the tumor.
The survival rate indicates the portion of individuals who will survive for the next five years after getting diagnosed with a spinal cord tumor.
The five-year survival rate for people diagnosed with spinal tumors ranges from 83% to 35% based on the age, stage, type, and location of the tumor.
However, the survival rates may vary based on several factors, like the type of tumor, age, etc.

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