Recent advances in intradural spinal tumors

Abstract

Intradural spinal tumors are rare tumors of the central nervous system. Due to the eloquence of the spinal cord and its tracts, the compact architecture of the cord and nerves, and the infiltrative nature of some of these tumors, surgical resection is difficult to achieve without causing neurological deficits. Likewise, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are utilized more cautiously in the treatment of intradural spinal tumors than their cranial counterparts. Targeted therapies aimed at the genetic alterations and molecular biology tailored to these tumors would be helpful but are lacking. Here, we review the major types of intradural spinal tumors, with an emphasis on genetic alterations, molecular biology, and experimental therapies for these difficult to treat neoplasms.