Spinal Hemangioma

[johnston]

I have been diagnosed with a benign vertebral hemangioma on C7 that is 7mm. I have sharp throbbing pain that starts between my shoulder blades and shoots into both arms. I have been to an oncologist, and a neurosurgeon. The neurosurgeon said to do nothing but "watch" it, and repeat the MRI in 6 months. I wouldn't be opposed to that, except that I have so much pain.  It is becoming unbearable and I have been on high doses of hydrocodone for the last 5 weeks.

In order to diagnose this, I have undergone a CT Scan, Bone Scan, and MRI.  

I have researched hemangioma extensively and have yet to find anything about this type of tumor being located in the cervical vertebrae.

What is the typical treatment for this?  Although this tumor seems small, I believe it is the cause for the pain.  Do you also believe that something so small could cause so much pain?  I have been getting nowhere with the doctors in my area and am ready to go over 400 miles away to get help.  Do you think this is necessary or should I just give up and hope the pain subsides in the next six months?

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am losing patience.

Thanks,

JJ

[Thurst]

A related discussion, hemangioma was started.

[Bharathi]

My husband is 58 years, Surgical Oncologist from India. He is suffering Hemangioma of Spine at D10 and L3 and it is occupying 80% of L3 Vertebral body. He has severe back pain from 5-7 yeards and could not perform day to day activities. Recent MRI shows Hemangioma. Earlier in 1975 he underwent posterior spinal fusion for Caries spine for D10, 11 and 12. Now he is having severe pain more in the mornings, hands breadth above gluteal region.

Please let us know if you have any info on this. You could reach me via email at "***@****" or at 678-361-1200.

Thanks,
Bharathi

[flirt]

I am so glad that I am not the only one with this problem. I was just diagnosed with a T6 and T11 "small" hemangioma. I am going to be sent to a spinal specialist for further testing. I am currently using a duragesic patch and other pain meds for "break-
through" pain. I was also told by a NP that this pain is "all
psychological" in nature. I get to the point that I cannot breathe related to the pain. I also get the "look" that I am drug
seeking. I am a nurse and my patients are not going to be in pain
on my shift, if I can help it. Thank you all for listening to me
I acutually feel that there may be help out there.

[Coho]

I have had 2 major pains going on in the last 1 1/2 yrs. After numerous tests x-rays showed I have a displace #8 right rib. But in the last 6 mths. I've developed back pain mainly in the mid-thoracic spinal region. An MRI in July,2003 showed small disk protrusions at T6-7 and T8-9 plus a benign hemangioma at T10 that looks like it takes up the entire vertebrae. I have a very physical outdoor job and in the last 2 mths. the pain especially at the end of the day has been excruciating. It's hard to catch my breathe sometimes because of the pain. Alot of burning in the center of my back especially when bending at certain angles. The pain now radiates towards the left side of my back plus by mid day, during work, if I lean my back on a chair or car seat I get incredible pressure like someone is standing on my back. I had a spinal shot for pain in Sept. which did not help. The pain Doctor said what the MRI shows shouldn't be causing all this pain. I currently have an apt. with my Neurosurgeon in 2 weeks. The pain is probably around a 3 when I'm off but at work goes up to a 10. Could the hemangioma be causing such pain since the description of the disk protrusions don't sound so bad? I hope the Doctor can help me, it's impossible to make it through a day of work without being near tears.

[Grace121]

I am not a doctor, but from personal experience with severe spinal/back and other pain, it is often necessary to take drugs for long-term pain to have a liveable life, whether or not certain doctors have issues with assumptions of drug addiction.  It's a matter of finding the right doctor who understands this.  From my personal dealings with a pain level that I could not begin to measure, the best meds are those such as MS Contin, Oxycontin or the Duragesic patch.  These medications are strong, but release specific amounts of the drug into the bloodstream for 12 hour (or longer) periods of time.  They help manage severe pain without a person in chronic pain having to be worried or concerned about "when they can take the next pill" (maybe helpful in avoiding possible potential addiction concerns - although many doctors seem not to know that people who suffer chronic pain are not as likely as short term pain sufferers to become addicted to pain meds).  Again, you have to find a good doctor who understands this and the fact that you just can't live with constant pain - they are out there; it just may take some time to find them, as it may unfortunately take time to find a doctor who will understand exactly what is going on with you and maybe concur with what you already know yourself or suspect is happening in your body based on the info you've been given.  One last thing that I accidentally came across (not even from a doctor but by research) is something called a "Lidoderm patch".  It has helped me greatly and is not a narcotic or painkiller, but a local anesthetic patch that can be applied to areas of pain on the body that are more specific or focused in a particular area (not for general pain).  It is the only thing of its kind available as an FDA-approved prescription. I hope someone is helped by this.

[Becky100]

Just an update on my condition.  Instead of one hemangioma at the C-6 I am now told that I have hemangiomas at the T-1 and the T-2.  Still in a lot of pain.  I am sch to see a pain doctor on the 26th of September.  I hope he can be of some help to me as I am not getting the help from the family doctor.  My daughter who has worked in the medical field told me that the surgery is somewhat complicated and she said to hold off on the surgery as long as possible.  I hope the pain doctor can help me as I have been in pain since July the 3rd and it is getting real difficult living with this pain.  Any suggestion from anyone would be of great importance to me.

Becky