Spinal Cord Tumors: A Review of Demographic Characteristics and Treatment Follow-Up of Patients in Isfahan City, Iran

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Given that spinal cord tumors cause damage to the central nervous system, the involvement of body organs, patients' reduced quality of life, and the follow-up of patients should be performed with more sensitivity. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the demographic characteristics and treatment follow-up of patients with spinal cord tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study investigated all patients with spinal cord tumors in 2022 who visited the Kashani Hospital Isfahan. A total of 31 patients were included in the study using the census sampling method. The data were collected by a checklist and three pain scales, namely the Dennis pain scale, the Frankel Grade classification, and Nurick's grading scales. RESULTS: The present cross-sectional study examined 31 patients with spinal cord tumors who visited the Kashani Hospital in Isfahan. Most spinal cord tumors were ependymoma with nine cases (29) and neurofibroma with six cases (19.35). The tumor site was thoracic in 10 cases (33.33). In the follow-up phase, 31 patients (53.4) returned to their normal life with full recovery and 10 (17.2) died. Three (75) out of four cases of tumor recurrence had ependymoma tumors and one (25) had astrocytoma. There was a significant difference between the patients' pre- and post-operative pain severity and functional status as the post-operative scores decreased on all three scales. CONCLUSION: The results may contribute to improve the pre-operative planning, optimization, and monitoring of the patient's recovery after the operation.