Rare Spinal Cord Tumors

Intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IMSCTs) represent a rare and diverse subset of central nervous system (CNS) lesions, accounting for approximately 2% to 4% of all CNS tumors. The majority of IMSCTs are glial in origin, particularly ependymomas and astrocytomas, which collectively constitute over 80% of cases in both pediatric and adult populations. However, a small but clinically significant subset of IMSCTs includes rare lesions such as neuroepithelial cysts, subependymomas, gangliogliomas, lipomas, and intramedullary metastases. These entities differ markedly in origin, biological behavior, resectability, and prognosis. Hence, specialized consideration is required for each tumor type, in terms of diagnosis and prognostication.