Skip Navigation

Visiting Dana-Farber? See our prescreening and mask requirements.

What Is a Childhood Spinal Cord Tumor?

  • A spinal cord tumor refers to the growth of abnormal cells in the of nerve tissue that runs from the base of the skull down the back. Spinal cord tumors can be benign or malignant.

    Although cancer is rare in children, brain and spinal cord tumors are the third most common type of childhood cancer, after leukemia and lymphoma.

    Learn about spinal cord tumors and find information on how we support and care for children and teens with spinal cord tumors before, during, and after treatment.