Objective To explore the diagnosis and operative treatment of spinal tumor. Methods Clinical symptom, diagnosis and operative treatment of 22 patients with spinal tumor in our institution from August 1987 to August 2002 were analysed retrospectively. Results Combining with patients' clinical symptoms and results of corresponding examination, all cases were diagnosed before operation. After operation, all the patients recovered with different outcome except 3 patients died. There were 18 cases nearly cured. Conclusion The clinical symptoms of the patients with spinal tumor have some specialty. The preoperative diagnosis mainly depends on MRI. The various operative modes should be taken according to tumor localization.