Spine Tumor Program

Overview

Cleveland Clinic’s Spine Tumor Excellence Program (STEP) is dedicated to providing the highest level of care for patients with malignant or benign spine tumors through all phases of the treatment process. Spine tumors can cause acute pain, instability, compression of the spinal cord and nerves, neurological dysfunction and paralysis. Due to the serious consequences of spine tumors, early treatment by an experienced team is essential.

Using innovative approaches, the most advanced technology, and compassionate, multifaceted patient care, we strive for the best outcome and quality of life for patients with spine tumors. Our comprehensive spine tumor program is led by a multi-disciplinary team of spine tumor specialists from Cleveland Clinic’s Neurological Institute, Taussig Cancer Institute, Imaging Institute, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Institute and Cleveland Clinic Children’s. These specialists collaborate to provide customized, coordinated care for patients with both malignant and benign spinal tumors. This includes care for even the most complex pediatric spine tumor patients. With innovative treatments and excellent outcomes, Cleveland Clinic spine tumor specialists are nationally and internationally recognized.

Our program continually seeks to enhance spine tumor care through weekly tumor board meetings. Spine Tumor Board brings together a team of medical experts, including spine surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, neuro-radiologists, pathologists, medical spine specialists, radiosurgeons, and advanced practice nurses to determine the best possible care plan for each patient. Each case is presented and discussed in detail to provide our patients with individualized recommendations and options. With patient care goals in mind, we work to identify the most effective spine tumor treatments, enabling our patients to enjoy the best possible quality of life. The Spine Tumor Board at Cleveland Clinic has reviewed almost 4,000 cases to date.

Everyone in Cleveland Clinic’s Spine Tumor Excellence Program is dedicated to continuous collaboration and innovation, optimizing patient outcomes. Through this quality and patient safety-focused program, we strive to create an unparalleled treatment experience for our patients. The Spine Tumor Excellence Program is supported in part by the Kerscher Family Foundation.

STEP with us and make Cleveland Clinic your spine tumor care partner.

What We Treat

Malignant (cancerous) spinal tumors, including:

• Metastatic spinal tumors
• Primary tumors
  • Bone tumors
    • Chondrosarcomas
    • Chordomas
    • Ewing’s Sarcoma
    • Fibrosarcomas
    • Osteosarcomas
  • Glial tumors
    • Astrocytomas
    • Ependymomas
    • Myxopapillary Ependymomas
    • Subependymomas
• Lymphoma
• Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors (MPNST)
• Multiple myeloma
• Many other tumor types

Benign (non-cancerous) spinal tumors, including:

• Aneurysmal Bone Cysts (ABC)
• Giant Cell Tumors
• Hemangioblastomas
• Meningiomas
• Neurofibromas
• Osteochondroma
• Paragangliomas
• Schwannomas
• Intradural/Extramedullary tumors

Vascular abnormalities, including:

• Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)
• Hemangiomas
• Vertebral Hemangiomas

Treatment Options

• Spine surgery (using open and minimally invasive options)
• Stereotactic spine radiosurgery
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Palliative care
• Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
• Pain Management
• Cancer Counseling Services

Our Doctors

Our Medical & Surgical Team

View the profiles of the medical and surgical providers in Cleveland Clinic’s Spine Tumor Excellence Program.

Patient Care Team

• Mary Murphy, RN – Nurse Care Coordinator
• Rosemary Truchanowicz, LISW-S – Case Management Social Worker
• Nicole Annable – Program Manager

Appointments

Make an Appointment or Referral

We welcome patient and medical professional calls to the Spine Tumor Excellence Program for timely case review and scheduling of appointments at Cleveland Clinic’s main campus. To make an appointment or referral, please call 216.442.7837 (STEP) or toll-free at 888.638.7837 (STEP).

Support & Services

Patient Services

In addition to offering state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques and spine tumor treatments, our specialists also provide an array of resources that can help patients cope with the complexities of spine tumors. Patients are encouraged to take advantage of these resources.

• View more Patient Education and Support resources

Clinical Trials & Research

Cleveland Clinic Spine Tumor Excellence Program clinical trials offer patients important treatment options and access to the latest treatments and procedures resulting from spine tumor research.

• Learn more about our Research & Innovations

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials (or research studies) help us create the medicine of tomorrow. They provide hope through offering testing of new drugs, new surgical techniques or other treatments before they are widely available.

We can help you access hundreds of clinical trials across all specialty areas. Our new searchable online trials tool makes identifying treatment opportunities easier than ever.

Medical Professionals

Cleveland Clinic’s Spine Tumor Excellence Program is committed to working with you to provide the best care for your patients. Our team is also dedicated to the training and education of medical professionals to advance spine tumor care and research.

• View our For Medical Professionals resources

Cancer Advances Podcast

A Cleveland Clinic podcast for medical professionals exploring the latest innovative research and clinical advances in the field of oncology. Listen to Cancer Advances. 

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Our cancer care blog for physicians and healthcare professionals. Discover emerging advances, innovations, and research insights from Cleveland Clinic Cancer Care specialists. Explore Consult QD.