Michael J Fox health: ‘I was heading for paralysis’ Actor opens up on spinal tumour

Michael J Fox, 59, had a fast-growing tumour on his spine, but it was in fact noncancerous. While the tumour wasn’t cancerous, it caused horrible pain throughout his body. He told People magazine: “I was heading for paralysis if I didn’t get it operated on.”

“Spinal tumours that originate from the vertebra (bone), spinal cord or nerves are known as primary tumours,” explains University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

“There are also tumours that spread to the spine from cancer starting elsewhere in the body; these are called secondary tumours or metastases.

“Spinal tumours can cause pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerves and depending on where the tumour is in your spine, different areas of your body can be affected.”

Symptoms of spinal tumours may include pain in the neck, upper or lower back and in your arms or legs.

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You can also experience numbness, tingling or weakness in the arms, legs, on your body or around your bottom.

Difficulty with balance and/or difficulty in walking may also occur

Occasionally people may have problems going to the toilet, such as controlling your bladder and/or bowel function.

Tests to diagnose a spinal tumour most typically include MRI and CT scans, advises the NHS Foundation Trust.

His initial symptoms included a twitching little finger and a sore shoulder.

The star went public about his condition in 1998 and became a strong advocate of Parkinson’s disease research.