How is Cancer of the Spine treated?

Most cancers of the spine are metastatic lesions (tumor from some other part of the body which has seeded in the spine). The treatment will depend upon several things including the type of cancer present and the degree of destruction in the spine. In general the management of the disease will rest with the oncologist who will recommend the best therapy for the cancer (radiation, chemotherapy…). If the spine has become unstable due to bony destruction and if collapse of the spine is occurring or may occur, then surgical stabilization may be necessary. Such surgery consists of inserting instrumentation and may involve removing the weakened bone and abnormal tissue to free the spinal canal. In order to insure stability in the front of the spine, metal cages or allograft bone may be inserted. It should be understood that in the majority of cases surgery for cancer which has spread to the spine is not going to lead to a cure. Pain relief may be obtained and improvement of quality of life are the principal goals in treatment.

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