Neoplasia

Question 1

Forms of neoplasia that result in spinal disease

Answer 1

• meningioma
• glioma
• metastatic disease
• tumour of the vertebrae
• nerve root tumour
• lymphoproliferative neoplasia

Question 2

Meningioma

Answer 2

• tumour of the meninges resulting in compressive pathology to the adjacent spinal cord

Question 3

Glioma

Answer 3

• tumour of the glial cells arising from within the spinal cord and compressing the adjacent spinal cord

Question 4

Metastatic dz

Answer 4

• secondary spread to affect the spinal cord

Question 5

Tumour of the vertebrae

Answer 5

• results in compressive pathology adjacent to the spinal cord

Question 6

Nerve root tumour

Answer 6

• tumour of the nerve root which may extend along the nerve through the intervertebral foramina to compress the spinal cord

Question 7

Lymphoproliferative neoplasia

Answer 7

• the commonest manifestation in cats
• may be multifocal

Question 8

Presentation

Answer 8

• tumours will usually present with progressive neurological dysfunction with a focal presentation
• they may be pain-free or associated with pain

Question 9

Diagnosis for vertebral based tumours

Answer 9

• may be made on radiography, however all other will require advanced imaging for diagnosis

Question 10

Tx

Answer 10

• there’s no effective chemo protocol, except for lymphoproliferative dz
• corticosteroids (at anti-inflammatory doses) may be helpful but palliative by reducing peritumoural oedema
• surgical excision is unlikely to be curative due to the inability to remove a surgical margin, even though meningioma and glioma are usually thought to be benign