Spinal Tumors -- Benign or Not -- Are Serious Matters

According to the Mayo Clinic, most back pain stems from normal stresses and strains or from degenerative changes that come with aging. But sometimes the cause may be a spinal tumor — a cancerous or noncancerous growth that develops within or near the spinal cord or in the bones of the spine.

In most areas of the body, noncancerous tumors aren't particularly worrisome. Yet that's not necessarily the case with the spinal cord, where a spinal tumor or a growth of any kind can impinge on crucial nerves, leading to pain, neurological problems and sometimes paralysis. In fact, a spinal tumor, whether cancerous or not, can threaten life and cause permanent disability.