Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

Are you finding that your balance just isn’t what it used to be? Balance issues aren’t all that uncommon, especially in older adults whose bodies have been put under decades of stress, but if your lack of stability seems a little surprising, perhaps it’s best to have a conversation with your primary care physician. Balance problems can be caused by a host of underlying conditions that range in severity, but you may be surprised to learn that this could be a symptom of a spinal tumor. In today’s blog, we talk more about the connection between spinal tumors and balance issues.

Spinal Tumors Causing Balance Problems

Balance issues could be a cause for concern, but the good news is that there are a number of other conditions that are more common than a problematic spinal tumor, so don’t automatically assume that a spinal growth is to blame. Some underlying health conditions and related issues that can contribute to balance concerns and instability on your feet include:

• Medication side effects
• Inner ear conditions like Meniere’s disease or labyrinthitis
• Vertigo
• Arthritis or joint degeneration
• Vitamin deficiencies
• Cardiovascular conditions like low blood pressure
• Anxiety/stress

So while it’s more likely that one of the above conditions is playing a role in your balance issues, there is always the possibility that it is connected to the formation of a spinal tumor. The link between your balance and your back is pretty simple. Your brain controls how you move, and your spinal cord plays a pivotal role in delivering key messages between your brain and all the nerves throughout your body. If a spinal tumor develops and interrupts the relay of these messages, you may find that your brain is having a tough time sending and receiving nerve relays to key areas that aid in balance control.

Types of Spinal Tumors

There are a few different types of spinal tumors that can develop and cause balance problems and related symptoms. There are:

• Primary Spinal Tumors – These originate within the spine itself.
• Intermedullary Tumors – This tumor develops within the spinal cord.
• Vertebral Column Tumors – These originate in the spinal discs or vertebral bones.
• Intradural-Extramedullary Tumors – These develop in the spinal canal, under the membranes that surround the spinal cord but outside the nerves.

All of these tumors will present with their own challenges, but location, size and its impact on nearby systems will play a significant role in the symptoms you experience. Some patients may show no symptoms tied to a small spine cyst, while others can experience major symptoms including balance problems if a spinal tumor compresses or damages an important set of spinal nerves.

Treatment will be based on your individual needs and whether or not the tumor is cancerous or originated in another area of your body. The spine is a common place for secondary tumors to form, so it’s possible that it’s not the only tumor that needs to be addressed. Oftentimes doctors will work to shrink the size of the tumor with radiation therapy before moving on to a more invasive option. When possible, surgery to remove the offending tumor is considered, but due to the proximity to the spinal cord and other key nerves, it’s not always a guarantee that the tumor can be removed.

Should your balance issue be tied to a spinal tumor, we’re confident that Dr. Sinicropi and his team can help chart the best path forward for you. It’s rare, but it’s something Dr. Sinicropi has successfully managed with many patients in the past, and he can do the same for you should you find yourself in this scenario.

For more information about spinal tumors or a different spinal issue, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.

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