Decision guide
Removal of spinal cord tumor
Spinal cord tumor resection means surgery to remove a tumor.
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How surgery works and how approaches differ
Spinal cord tumor resection means surgery to remove a tumor. For a tumor growing within the spinal cord, called an intramedullary tumor, the aim is to remove as much tumor as safely possible while preserving nerve function. During surgery, electrical monitoring can help the team track the nerve pathways involved in movement and sensation. Monitoring muscle responses and signals travelling along the spinal cord provides complementary information about the risk of weakness after surgery.
Sources (2)
- A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis to Compare the Diagnostic Accuracy of Direct-Waves and Myogenic Motor-Evoked Potential Neuromonitoring During Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumor Resection.
- Evaluating the Diagnostic Benefit of Adding Somatosensory Evoked Potentials to Transcranial Motor-Evoked Potentials Compared to Either Modality Alone in Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumor Resection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
When surgery may help and what alternatives to discuss
The distinction between a tumor within the spinal cord and one outside the cord but inside its protective covering matters when comparing surgical approaches. For tumors outside the cord but within this covering, minimally invasive surgery is an alternative to conventional open surgery. A 2022 review of seven comparative studies included 302 patients: 149 had minimally invasive surgery and 153 had open surgery. The minimally invasive group had less blood loss, shorter operations and shorter hospital stays; the groups had similar rates of complications and complete tumor removal. This comparison applies to that tumor location, not to tumors growing within the spinal cord.
Expected outcomes and limits of the evidence
Recovery of nerve function is an important outcome alongside tumor removal. In a 2026 single-center study, 54 adults underwent 55 operations for tumors within the spinal cord. Complete tumor removal was achieved in 36 operations (65.5%). Assessments at four weeks and six months linked changes in neurological function with changes in walking ability. These findings describe one group with several tumor types, rather than an individual chance of walking independently or a measure of long-term cancer control.
Risks to discuss with your surgeon
Surgery for tumors within the spinal cord can be followed by weakness that is temporary or persistent, as well as changes in sensation. For tumors outside the cord but inside its covering, leakage of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord is a recognized surgical complication.
Changes in spinal alignment are another concern. A 2022 single-center study followed 31 patients after tumor removal in the chest-level spine for an average of 66.8 months, with at least two years of follow-up. The group included different tumor locations relative to the cord and different surgical approaches. Twelve patients (39%) developed an increased forward spinal curve, called kyphosis. One patient, a 12-year-old girl who also received radiation therapy, needed corrective surgery three years after tumor removal. These figures describe this small mixed-age group, not the risk for every adult having spinal cord tumor surgery.
Sources (4)
- A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis to Compare the Diagnostic Accuracy of Direct-Waves and Myogenic Motor-Evoked Potential Neuromonitoring During Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumor Resection.
- Evaluating the Diagnostic Benefit of Adding Somatosensory Evoked Potentials to Transcranial Motor-Evoked Potentials Compared to Either Modality Alone in Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumor Resection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
- Minimally invasive versus open surgery for patients undergoing intradural extramedullary spinal cord tumor resection: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Incidence and Predictors of Postoperative Kyphotic Deformity after Thoracic Spinal Cord Tumor Resection.
Recovery and follow-up care
Follow-up can involve both nerve function and the shape and stability of the spine. Research in adults with tumors within the spinal cord has assessed neurological function and walking at four weeks and six months after surgery. For adults having tumor removal through the back of the neck without spinal fusion or fixation, a 2022 review recommends careful follow-up for changes in alignment and stability. Younger age, removal of the back part of the second neck vertebra, and removal of bone across more spinal levels were associated with greater risk. In selected patients, stabilization of the spine at the time of tumor removal may be considered.
Explore surgery and care teams
Specialists and their operations
Turkey · 1–12 of 22 entries
| Specialist | Clinic | Operations and experience | Ask about treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
 Mustafa Solak | Hisar Hospital Intercontinental Istanbul, Turkey | Mastectomy; Thyroid resection; Removal of liver cancer; Removal of colon cancer; Prostatectomy; Removal of spinal cord tumor; Melanoma surgery; Nephrectomy; Stomach cancer surgery; Da Vinci Robotic System; Esophagectomy; Small intestine resection; Robotic da Vinci prostatectomy; Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP); Breast cancer surgery; Hysterectomy (uterus removal); Lumpectomy; Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC); Whipple surgery; Orchiectomy; Mohs microsurgery; Hysterectomy with DaVinci robot; Lung cancer surgery; Bladder removal; Colectomy (large bowel resection); Liver resection; Removal of meningioma; Rectal resection; Removal of testicle tumor; Throat cancer operation; Tongue cancer surgery; Gastroectomy; Pancreatic cancer surgery; Bladder removal with reconstruction; Laparoscopic Hysterectomy In practice since 2006 | Ask about treatment |
 Baran Yılmaz | Istinye University Liv Hospital Bahcesehir Istanbul, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor | Ask about treatment |
 Baran Yil | Valued Med Hub Hospitals Istanbul, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Removal of meningioma In practice since 2005 | Ask about treatment |
 Salih Murat Imer | Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital Istanbul, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Removal of meningioma; Tongue cancer surgery In practice since 1985 | Ask about treatment |
 Erkan Kaptanoglu | Estexper Clinic Istanbul, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor In practice since 1992 | Ask about treatment |
 Ahmet Karkucak | Büyük Anadolu Hospitals (BAH International) Istanbul, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Removal of meningioma In practice since 2019 | Ask about treatment |
 Ramazan Sari | Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital Istanbul, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (MRgFUS); Removal of meningioma; Tongue cancer surgery In practice since 2004 | Ask about treatment |
 Melih Uc | Valued Med Hub Hospitals Istanbul, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor In practice since 2007 | Ask about treatment |
 Hasan Ozgur Ozdemir | Medical Park Antalya Hospital Complex Antalya, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (MRgFUS); Removal of meningioma; Tongue cancer surgery In practice since 2002 | Ask about treatment |
 Ramazan Uyar | Medical Park Antalya Hospital Complex Antalya, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (MRgFUS); Removal of meningioma; Tongue cancer surgery In practice since 1991 | Ask about treatment |
 Ertugrul Pinar | Hisar Hospital Intercontinental Istanbul, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Removal of meningioma In practice since 2016 | Ask about treatment |
 Tuncay Kaner | Medical Park Bahcelievler Hospital Istanbul, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor In practice since 1989 | Ask about treatment |
Turkey · 13–22 of 22 entries
| Specialist | Clinic | Operations and experience | Ask about treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
 Kenan Kibici | Medical Park Bahcelievler Hospital Istanbul, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Removal of meningioma In practice since 1993 | Ask about treatment |
 Halil Can | İstinye University Liv Hospital Topkapı Istanbul, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (MRgFUS); Removal of meningioma; Tongue cancer surgery In practice since 2007 | Ask about treatment |
 Mehmet Aydogan | Memorial Şişli Hospital Istanbul, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor In practice since 1950 | Ask about treatment |
 Ahmet Hilmi Kaya | Anadolu Medical Center Istanbul, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Removal of meningioma In practice since 1996 | Ask about treatment |
 Emad Abdallah | Turan Turan Health Group Bursa, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Removal of meningioma In practice since 2012 | Ask about treatment |
 Ayhan Kara | Central Hospital Istanbul, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor In practice since 1991 | Ask about treatment |
 Zvi Cohen | Bookimed Batman, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Removal of meningioma In practice since 1999 | Ask about treatment |
 Tansu Gursoy | Optimed International Hospital Tekirdag, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor In practice since 2009 | Ask about treatment |
 Mehmet Hakan Sahin | Atlas University Hospital Istanbul, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor In practice since 2010 | Ask about treatment |
 Abdullah Emre Tacyildiz | Optimed International Hospital Tekirdag, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Removal of meningioma In practice since 2012 | Ask about treatment |
Israel · 3 entries
| Specialist | Clinic | Operations and experience | Ask about treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
 Zvi Ram | Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) Tel Aviv, Israel | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Removal of meningioma In practice since 1989 | Ask about treatment |
 Professor Shimon Rochkind | Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) Tel Aviv, Israel | Removal of spinal cord tumor In practice since 1979 | Ask about treatment |
 Shlomi Constantini | Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) Tel Aviv, Israel | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Da Vinci Robotic System In practice since 1984 | Ask about treatment |
Germany · 1 entries
| Specialist | Clinic | Operations and experience | Ask about treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
 Ralf Buhl | Medical Center in Solingen Solingen, Germany | Thyroid resection; Removal of spinal cord tumor; Da Vinci Robotic System; Throat cancer operation; Tongue cancer surgery In practice since 1998 | Ask about treatment |
Romania · 1 entries
| Specialist | Clinic | Operations and experience | Ask about treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
 Alexandru Cristescu | Ponderas Academic Hospital Bucharest, Romania | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Removal of meningioma In practice since 2010 | Ask about treatment |
Republic of Korea · 1 entries
| Specialist | Clinic | Operations and experience | Ask about treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
 Sangwon Hwang | Leadheal Hospital Seoul, Republic of Korea | Removal of spinal cord tumor In practice since 1996 | Ask about treatment |
Thailand · 1 entries
| Specialist | Clinic | Operations and experience | Ask about treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
 Siriporn Cheawchanwej | Somchai Clinic Bangkok, Thailand | Removal of spinal cord tumor In practice since 2000 | Ask about treatment |
Spain · 1 entries
| Specialist | Clinic | Operations and experience | Ask about treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
 Nnamdi Elenwoke | Centro Médico Teknon Barcelona, Spain | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Removal of meningioma In practice since 2007 | Ask about treatment |
Sources (29)
- Mustafa Solak
- Zvi Ram
- Professor Shimon Rochkind
- Shlomi Constantini
- Ralf Buhl
- Baran Yil
- Salih Murat Imer
- Erkan Kaptanoglu
- Ahmet Karkucak
- Ramazan Sari
- Melih Uc
- Hasan Ozgur Ozdemir
- Ramazan Uyar
- Ertugrul Pinar
- Tuncay Kaner
- Kenan Kibici
- Alexandru Cristescu
- Halil Can
- Mehmet Aydogan
- Ahmet Hilmi Kaya
- Sangwon Hwang
- Siriporn Cheawchanwej
- Emad Abdallah
- Ayhan Kara
- Nnamdi Elenwoke
- Zvi Cohen
- Tansu Gursoy
- Mehmet Hakan Sahin
- Abdullah Emre Tacyildiz
Programmes and prices
| Public programme | Clinic | Recorded price | Programme details | Request a quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cyst Drainage & Steroid Implementation | Lokman Hekim Istanbul Hospital | USD 10000Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesCyst Drainage & Steroid Implementation Included: Consultation with a neurosurgeon Included: Removal of spinal cord tumor Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Additional activities not included |
Ask about treatment |
| Consultations + Treatment program : radiotherapy | Anadolu Medical Center | USD 1360Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesConsultations + Treatment program : radiotherapy Included: Removal of spinal cord tumor Included: Transfer airport-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included |
Ask about treatment |
| Neuromonitor-guided AVM or Tumor excision | Valued Med Hub Hospitals | USD 27000Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesNeuromonitor-guided AVM or Tumor excision Included: Removal of spinal cord tumor Included: AVM Embolization Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included |
Ask about treatment |
| Thoracic Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumor Resection with Laminoplasty and Neurophysiological Monitoring | Anadolu Medical Center | USD 18000Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesThoracic Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumor Resection with Laminoplasty and Neurophysiological Monitoring Included: Brain tumor removal Included: Brain tumor surgery Included: Removal of spinal cord tumor Included: General anesthesia Included: Consultation with an anesthesiologist Included: Medical Examination for pre-operation Included: Medications Included: Post-op medications Included: Electrocardiogram (ECG) Included: Hospitalization Included: Transfer airport-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Stay: 6 days in the hospital Additional source terms: This procedure is designed for thoracic intramedullary spinal cord tumors and performed using microsurgical techniques to safely remove the lesion while preserving spinal cord function. Thoracic laminoplasty is performed to maintain spinal stability, and continuous neurophysiological monitoring enhances surgical safety. Advanced microsurgical equipment supports controlled tumor excision, followed by structured postoperative monitoring and early recovery planning. Included Services Neurosurgery consultation and treatment planning Thoracic intramedullary tumor excision Thoracic laminoplasty (2 levels) Neurophysiological monitoring Standard pathological examination Anesthesia services All surgical materials and medications 1 night intensive care unit (ICU) stay 5 days ward hospitalization Accompanying person accommodation included |
Ask about treatment |
| Removal of Lumbar Intramedullary Spinal Tumor (Including Laminectomy) | Memorial Göztepe Hospital | USD 28440Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesRemoval of Lumbar Intramedullary Spinal Tumor (Including Laminectomy) Included: Removal of spinal cord tumor Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Stay: 6 days in the hospital |
Ask about treatment |
| Removal of Lumbar Intramedullary Spinal Tumor (Including Laminectomy) | Memorial Şişli Hospital | USD 28440Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesRemoval of Lumbar Intramedullary Spinal Tumor (Including Laminectomy) Included: Removal of spinal cord tumor Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Stay: 6 days in the hospital |
Ask about treatment |
| Removal of Lumbar Intramedullary Spinal Tumor (Including Laminectomy) | Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital | USD 28440Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesRemoval of Lumbar Intramedullary Spinal Tumor (Including Laminectomy) Included: Removal of spinal cord tumor Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Stay: 6 days in the hospital |
Ask about treatment |
| Removal of Lumbar Intramedullary Spinal Tumor (Including Laminectomy) | Memorial Ataşehir Hospital | USD 28440Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesRemoval of Lumbar Intramedullary Spinal Tumor (Including Laminectomy) Included: Removal of spinal cord tumor Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Stay: 6 days in the hospital |
Ask about treatment |
Sources (8)
- Cyst Drainage & Steroid Implementation
- Consultations + Treatment program : radiotherapy
- Neuromonitor-guided AVM or Tumor excision
- Thoracic Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumor Resection with Laminoplasty and Neurophysiological Monitoring
- Removal of Lumbar Intramedullary Spinal Tumor (Including Laminectomy)
- Removal of Lumbar Intramedullary Spinal Tumor (Including Laminectomy)
- Removal of Lumbar Intramedullary Spinal Tumor (Including Laminectomy)
- Removal of Lumbar Intramedullary Spinal Tumor (Including Laminectomy)
Research and sources
Sources (18)
- A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis to Compare the Diagnostic Accuracy of Direct-Waves and Myogenic Motor-Evoked Potential Neuromonitoring During Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumor Resection.
- Evaluating the Diagnostic Benefit of Adding Somatosensory Evoked Potentials to Transcranial Motor-Evoked Potentials Compared to Either Modality Alone in Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumor Resection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
- Minimally invasive versus open surgery for patients undergoing intradural extramedullary spinal cord tumor resection: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Postoperative spinal deformity and instability after cervical spinal cord tumor resection in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Systematic review of alarm criteria and reversibility in motor-evoked potentials during intramedullary spinal cord tumor resection.
- Transcranial Motor Evoked Potential Monitoring Using Propofol-Fentanyl Versus Desflurane-Dexmedetomidine Anesthesia During Spinal Cord Tumor Resection: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
- Predictive factors of long-term dorsal column dysfunction after intramedullary spinal cord tumor resection: a comparative case series.
- Modified Hemilaminectomy for Bilateral Exposure in Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumor Resection.
- Utility of direct wave intraoperative neuromonitoring for intramedullary spinal cord tumor resection.
- Machine Learning-Based Prediction of Independent Ambulation Following Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumor Resection.
- Precision in Practice: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring for Optimizing Outcomes in Extramedullary Spinal Cord Tumor Resection.
- Spontaneous recovery of postsurgical progressive cervical spine kyphosis following intramedullary spinal cord tumor resection in a 4-year-old boy: illustrative case.
- Perioperative lumbar subarachnoid drainage could not prevent postoperative CSF leakage after spinal cord tumor resection using an artificial dura mater.
- Spinal fusion for postlaminectomy kyphosis following intramedullary spinal cord tumor resection: A 34-year follow-up.
- Incidence and Predictors of Postoperative Kyphotic Deformity after Thoracic Spinal Cord Tumor Resection.
- Subdural Direct Wave Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring in Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumor Resection: Case Report.
- Acute Surgical Risk Profile of Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumor Resection in Pediatric Patients: A Pediatric National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Analysis.
- Novel Technique of Coregistered Intraoperative Computed Tomography and Preoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Diffusion Tensor Imaging Navigation in Spinal Cord Tumor Resection.
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