Different types of tumors often behave differently and require different treatments. That is the original, or primary, tumor arose in another organ. The most common metastatic spinal tumors in women are from the breast and lung. In men, they are most often from the prostate and lung. Tumors arising from bone and cartilage cells do occur in the spine, although with less frequency.
Osteogenic sarcoma is a malignant bone tumor.
Osteoid osteomas are benign. Schwannomas and neurofibromas arise from the nerve roots which come off the spinal cord. Meningiomas and nerve sheath tumors are usually benign. Filum terminale ependymomas arise at the base of the spinal cord and may be large and adherent to many nerves, making total removal sometimes difficult. Astrocytomas and ependymomas account for the majority and occur with about equal frequency.