Cancer: Hemangiomas
Cancer: Hemangiomas
Vertebral Hemangiomas and Vertebral Compression Fractures
Vertebral hemangiomas are benign vascular tumors around one or two vertebrae. They usually occur in the lower thoracic and upper lumbar region, and may cause vertebral compression fractures or vertebral collapse.[1][2][3]
Vertebral hemangiomas don’t generally cause any symptoms. But when they do, back pain is most common, followed by weakness of the lower back and legs.[1][2][4]
Symptoms
Back pain, especially in the middle or lower back, is the most frequent symptom associated with vertebral hemangioma.[9]The pain may be worse at night or on awakening. It may also spread to the hips, legs, feet or arms as the hemangioma grows.[10]
- Back pain, often radiating to other parts of the body and worse at night
- Loss of sensation or muscle weakness, especially in the legs
- Decreased sensitivity to pain, heat and cold
- Loss of bowel or bladder function
- Paralysis that may occur in varying degrees and in different parts of the body, depending on which nerves are compressed
- Scoliosis or other spinal deformity
Most back pain is not the result of a vertebral hemangioma. But because early diagnosis and treatment are important for many back problems, see your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.
