Tumors -- benign and malignant -- can affect bones anywhere in the body. However, when a tumor involves one of the vertebrae of the spine, it can be a serious condition. This is because of the closeness of the spine and root nerves that run through and between the vertebrae. Additionally, the tumor may cause the bone to start collapsing in on itself.

Depending on where the tumor is, how advanced it is, how rapidly it is growing and whether the tumor is malignant or not, a variety of treatment approaches are available.

Surgery to treat a vertebral tumor focuses on removing the tumor and restoring the heighth of the vertebrae to avoid compressing the spinal cord or nearby nerves.