What are the symptoms of spinal lymphoma?

Generally, spinal lymphoma is a malignant tumor occurring in the lymphatic tissue of the spine. Common symptoms include localized pain, abnormal limb sensations, motor dysfunction, changes in spinal structure, and accompanying systemic symptoms. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Localized Pain: In the early stages of spinal lymphoma, patients often experience pain in the spinal region. Initially, this pain is usually intermittent and dull, worsening after physical exertion. As the disease progresses, the pain becomes persistent, manifesting as aching or severe pain, primarily concentrated near the affected vertebrae.

2. Abnormal Limb Sensations: Some patients may develop abnormal sensations in their limbs, such as numbness, burning, or tingling in areas innervated by nerves corresponding to the affected spinal segments. This occurs because the tumor compresses or invades surrounding nerve tissues, disrupting normal neural signal transmission.

3. Motor Dysfunction: As the tumor grows, it exerts increasing pressure on muscles and nerves around the spine, leading to motor impairments. Specific manifestations include muscle weakness and difficulty with movement, such as trouble lifting the arms or unsteady gait when walking.

4. Spinal Structural Changes: Prolonged tumor invasion can destroy the normal bony architecture and stability of the spine, resulting in structural deformities. Some patients may develop scoliosis (lateral curvature) or kyphosis (excessive outward curvature), which are visibly apparent as abnormalities in back contour.

5. Accompanying Systemic Symptoms: Patients may also experience nonspecific systemic symptoms, such as unexplained weight loss—often exceeding 5 kg within a short period—and persistent low-grade fever, with body temperature typically ranging between 37.5°C and 38°C, without a clear pattern.

In daily life, it is important to maintain proper posture, avoid prolonged bending or heavy lifting, engage in appropriate gentle rehabilitation exercises, and ensure adequate nutritional intake to support recovery.