​Hemangioblastoma

Hemangioblastoma Diagnosis

Because spinal hemangioblastomas are rare and have some of the same features as other tumors, a diagnosis may be difficult. MRI and CT scanning are used to view swelling around the tumor. Ultrasound is also helpful in locating the tumor.

Spinal angiography is used for large tumors when the diagnosis can’t be made by MRI alone. Angiography shows the definition of the tumor, including the feeding and draining blood vessels. This information is particularly helpful during surgery to remove the tumor.

Hemangioblastoma symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on the location of the hemangioblastoma, but may include:

• Weakness in the legs
• Sensory loss
• Balance and coordination problems
• Loss of bowel and bladder control
  

Hemangioblastoma Treatment

At UPMC we treat hemangioblastomas by resection (surgery to remove the tumor) or radiosurgery.  If a hemangioblastoma can be completely removed and is not associated with von Hippel Lindau disease, the patient can be cured. If the entire tumor cannot be resected, it is likely that the tumor will re-grow or that additional cysts will form. However, most hemangioblastomas can be safely removed.

Stereotactic radiosurgery is an alternative to open surgery that is noninvasive and doesn’t carry the risks of conventional brain or spine surgery. It is particularly useful in treating hemangioblastomas that are located in areas of the brain that are difficult to access safely with conventional surgery. In a single radiosurgery session, the tumor is targeted and will take from six months to a year to be destroyed. Radiosurgery is an outpatient procedure, so the patient does not need to recover before resuming normal activities.