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Preparing for your appointment

By Mayo Clinic staff

If you have symptoms that are common to spinal tumors — such as persistent, unexplained back pain, weakness or numbness in your legs, or changes in your bowel or bladder function — call your doctor promptly. After your doctor sees you, he or she may refer to you a doctor who is specially trained to diagnose and treat cancer (oncologist) or brain and spinal cord conditions (neurologist).

Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from the doctor.

What you can do

  • Write down any symptoms you've been experiencing, and for how long.
  • List your key medical information, including other conditions with which you've been diagnosed and the names of any prescription and over-the-counter medications you're taking.
  • Note any family history of brain or spinal tumors, especially in a first-degree relative, such as a parent or sibling.
  • Take a family member or friend along, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to soak up all the information provided to you during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
  • Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Questions to ask your doctor at your initial appointment include:

  • What may be causing my symptoms or condition?
  • Are there any other possible causes?
  • What kinds of tests do I need?
  • What do you recommend for next steps in determining my diagnosis and treatment?
  • Should I see a specialist?

Questions to consider if your doctor refers you to an oncologist or neurologist include:

  • Do I have a spinal tumor?
  • What type of tumor do I have?
  • Is the tumor noncancerous or cancerous?
  • If the tumor is cancerous, how aggressive is it?
  • What are the goals of treatment in my case?
  • Am I a candidate for surgery? What are the risks?
  • Am I a candidate for radiation? What are the risks?
  • What treatment approach do you recommend?
  • If the first treatment isn't successful, what will we try next?
  • What is the outlook for my condition?
  • Do I need a second opinion?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment at any time that you don't understand something.

What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Thinking about your answers ahead of time will help you make the most of your appointment. A doctor who sees you for a possible spinal tumor may ask:

  • What are your symptoms?
  • When did you first notice these symptoms?
  • Have your symptoms gotten worse over time?
  • If you have pain, where does the pain seem to start?
  • Does the pain spread to other parts of your body?
  • Have you experienced any weakness or numbness in your legs?
  • Have you had any difficulty walking?
  • Have you had any problems with your bladder or bowel function?
  • Have you been diagnosed with any other medical conditions?
  • Are you currently taking any over-the-counter or prescription medications?
  • Do you have any family history of noncancerous or cancerous spinal tumors?
Tests and diagnosis Complications
References
  1. Brain and spinal tumors: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brainandspinaltumors/detail_brainandspinaltumors.htm#43233060. Accessed July 25, 2009.
  2. Welch WC, et al. Spinal cord tumors. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 25, 2009.
  3. Donthineni R. Diagnosis and staging of spine tumors. Orthopedic Clinics of North America. 2009;40:1.
  4. Schiff D. Clinical features and diagnosis of epidural spinal cord compression, including cauda equina syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 25, 2009.
  5. Detailed guide: Brain / CNS tumors in adults. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2_3x.asp?rnav=cridg&dt=3. Accessed July 25, 2009.
  6. DeAngelis LM. Tumors of the central nervous system and intracranial hypertension and hypotension. In: Goldman L, et al., eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/151491959-3/0/1492/741.html?tocnode=54620820&fromURL=741.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50204-4--cesec51_9020. Accessed July 25, 2009.
  7. Cole JS, et al. Metastatic epidural spinal cord compression. Lancet Neurology. 2008;7:459.
  8. Moynihan TJ (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 2, 2009.

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Oct. 7, 2009

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