If you have symptoms that might suggest the possibility of spinal cancer, your doctor may recommend diagnostic tests such as: 

  • Computerized tomography (CT): CT scans combine a series of X-ray images to visualize the bones of the spine and detect abnormalities.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Using strong magnetic fields and radio waves, MRIs produce detailed three-dimensional (3D) pictures of the spinal cord.
  • Positron emission tomography (PET): Before this procedure, doctors inject a small amount of radioactive sugar into your bloodstream. This sugar collects in tumors, highlighting them in images. 
  • Biopsy: Guided by an imaging test, a doctor inserts a thin needle into the spine tumor or surrounding fluid to obtain a sample that can be analyzed for cancer cells.