Surgical Treatment of Spine Cancer
Edited By: Sohail K. Mirza, M.D. MPH
Last updated Friday, December 30, 2005
Review of the conditionCharacteristics of spine tumors; neoplasms of the spine; spine cancer; pathological fractions of the spine With spinal cancer, patients often experience persistent
back or neck pain, numbness, burning sensation, tingling sensation, or weakness
in their legs or arms. They may also have difficulty maintaining their balance
and may experience loss of bladder or bowel control.
A cancerous spine lesion may be a silent and incidental
finding when imaging studies are done as part of routine surveillance in cancer
patients who do not have neck or back symptoms (asymptomatic).Types The most common type of spinal cancer (more than 95 percent
of cases) is metastatic spinal cancer where tumors in the spine are caused by
cancerous cells spreading from other parts of the body. In this type of spinal
cancer, the primary tumor is in another area (for example, an abnormal growth
that originated in the breast, prostate, lung, colon, kidney, bone marrow, etc.)
and then the cancer spreads to the spinal column.
Another type of spinal cancer occurs when bone, cartilage,
muscle, or nerve tumors originate in the spinal column itself (for example,
osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, synovial sarcoma, leiyomyosarcoma, Ewings
sarcoma, or fibrosarcoma). This type of spine cancer is relatively rare,
occurring in maybe 2 to 3 percent of patients with spine cancer.
Other non-cancerous growths in the spinal column are benign
lesions, such as giant cell tumors, bone cysts, osteblastomas, or osteoid
osteomas. These growths are not cancerous because they do not spread to other
organs or other parts of the body, although after surgical removal, they can
grow back in the same area where they originated. Similar conditions Other conditions that might be confused with spinal cancer
include:
- Infections
of the spine.
- Osteoporosis-related
fractures of the spine.
- Congenital
conditions (conditions that are present since birth) that develop symptoms
and become apparent later in life.
Incidence and risk factors Metastatic cancer of the spine is very common. Some studies
indicate that more than two thirds of all patients with metastatic cancer are
affected in the vertebral column.
However, primary tumors of the spine are rare.
Often spinal cancer diagnosis is delayed in cancer patients
until they experience back or neck symptoms for many months, or develop
weakness and an inability to walk. At that time the spine is evaluated. Diagnosis Spinal cancer diagnosis is a complex process. The cancer is
usually diagnosed through a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study. An MRI
shows both the soft tissues and the nerves of the vertebral column. Sometimes
plain radiographs (X-rays) are done initially, but plain radiographs can miss
the diagnosis of cancer. X-rays can show vertebral fractures and changes in
spinal alignment. They do not show bone marrow or soft-tissue changes
characteristic of cancer-related fractures.
In addition, a computed tomography (CT) is needed to assess
the involvement of bone. A total body bone scan is frequently done to assess
the extent of overall skeletal disease and the biological aggressiveness of the
bone lesions. Positron emission tomography (PET) scan is a new technique that
is also helpful in evaluating the metabolic activity and aggressiveness of the
tumor.
Medications Yes, medication can help spinal cancer patients provided
damage to the spinal cord and nerves have not caused a fracture, or if the
cancer hasn’t destroyed so much vertebral material that a fracture is imminent.
Medication can alleviate pain or address other neurological
issues.
An external brace may be worn to provide support, relieve
pain, or temporarily protect against fracture while other treatments are being
administered, such as chemotherapy and radiation.
Patients with spinal cancer may also be prescribed
medications as part of their chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Exercises Yes, exercise can help spinal cancer patients maintain their
cardiovascular health and assist them in overcoming specific areas of weakness
in their arms and legs. Exercise may also enable patients to maintain proper
posture and overall body alignment.
Some exercises are not advisable for spinal cancer patients,
such as certain bending movements, push ups, sit ups, weight lifting, etc.
Therefore, patients should consult with their physician to ensure their
exercise program is appropriate for their particular condition. Possible benefits of spine tumors; neoplasms of the spine; spine cancer; pathological fractions of the spine In rare cases where the primary tumor is in the spine,
surgery is a potential cure for the cancer.
More often, spinal surgery is a palliative (with the goal of
reducing the severity of symptoms or alleviating symptoms without curing the
underlying disease) step in the treatment of spinal cancer and is intended to
relieve pain and protect or restore neurological function.
Spine surgery can provide metastatic cancer patients valuable
help in their efforts to maintain their quality of life in the face of a
serious disease. Surgery for Spine tumors; neoplasms of the spine; spine cancer; pathological fractions of the spine at the University of Washington If you are interested in making an appointment to discuss this procedure, you can request an appointment using our online referrals website. To request a referral online, please click here. You can also call 206-598-4288 (outside the Seattle area: 800-440-3280) to make an appointment.
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