This is similar to the idea of what a tumor is. It is an abnormal mass of tissue within or surrounding the spinal cord as well as the spinal column. There are multiplication and uncontrollable growth of these cells. They are unchecked by the mechanisms that control normal cells.

Spinal tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Primary tumors originate in the spine or spinal cord, and metastatic or secondary tumors result from cancer spreading from another site to the spine.

Are there groups of tumors?

Yes, there are three specific groups of tumors, Intradural-Extramedullary, Intramedullary and Extradural:

In the case of Intradural-Extramedullary, it a very common tumor and tumors develop in the spinal cords arachnoid membrane (meningiomas), in the nerve roots that extend out from the spinal cord.

Intramedullary is a tumor growing inside the spinal cord, most frequently occurring in the cervical (neck) region. It is rare, these are congenital tumors most commonly located in the thoracic spinal cord.

Extradural, on the other hand, are lesions are typically attributed to metastatic cancer or schwannomas derived from the cells covering the nerve roots.