Definition

The presacral space is the area between the rectum and lowest part of your spine, called the sacrum. A tumor is a growth in this area. It is rare but can be cancerous.

Sacral Area

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Causes

A presacral tumor may be caused by:

    
  • Factors that are present from birth
  • Hereditary disorders like Currarino syndrome
  • Cancer of the connective tissue
  • Other forms of cancer that have spread

    • Risk Factors

    Women are more likely to develop this type of tumor.

    Symptoms

    In some cases, there are no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they may include:

        
  • Pain in the lower back or rectal/pelvic area
  • Pain that spreads to the lower extremities
  • A feeling of heaviness
  • Constipation
  • Overflow incontinence
  • Weight loss

    • Diagnosis

    Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done, as well as a digital rectal exam.

    Images of your bodily structures may be taken. This can be done with:

        
  • X-ray
  • CT scan
  • MRI scan
  • PET scan

    • Treatment

    Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. This will depend on the type of tumor you have. Treatment options include:

        
  • Surgery to remove the tumor
  • Chemotherapy —If the tumor is cancerous, chemotherapy may be used. This involves using drugs to kill cancer cells.
  • Radiation therapy—This may be used along with chemotherapy. Radiation therapy involves using radiation to kill cancer cells and to shrink tumors.

    • Prevention

    There are no steps to prevent this condition.