Local recurrence after total en bloc spondylectomy (TES) for spinal tumors remains a significant clinical issue. The aim of this study was to evaluate local recurrence and survival outcomes after total en bloc spondylectomy for spinal tumors. We retrospectively analyzed data from 185 patients with spinal tumors who underwent total en bloc spondylectomy at our institution between April 2010 and December 2022. We assessed the incidence, primary cancer type, and sites of local recurrence. Risk factors for local recurrence were also examined through the statistical analysis of 17 items, including clinico- pathological characteristics, treatment history, and preoperative or surgical complications. Survival outcomes were evaluated with particular attention paid to the presence of local recurrence. The median follow-up duration was 93.8 months (range, 12~180 months). Local recurrence was diagnosed in 21 of 185 patients (11.4%). The carcinomas included 16 cases of metastatic spinal tumors originating from primary malignancies such as thyroid cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and breast cancer, as well as two cases of carcinoma of unknown primary. In addition, one case each of primary tumors, including osteosarcoma, chordoma, and spindle cell sarcoma, was identified. The sites of recurrence were intradural in 4 cases, epidural in 4 cases, in a vertebral body adjacent to the resected vertebral body in 10 cases, and in the paraspinal muscle in 5 cases. Multivariate analysis indicated that radiotherapy history was the only risk factor for local recurrence. The 2-year survival rate was significantly lower for the recurrence group than for the non-recurrence group (p < 0.05). A history of radiation was the only risk factor for local recurrence. Patients with recurrence had a significantly worse prognosis than those without recurrence. These findings may aid in surgical decision-making when considering TES for spinal tumors.