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Metastatic Spine Disease: Indications, Timing, and Outcomes for Surgery and Radiation Therapy

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Book cover Tumors of the Central Nervous System, Volume 6

Part of the book series: Tumors of the Central Nervous System ((TCNS,volume 6))

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Abstract

Metastatic spine disease is the most common neoplastic process to affect the human spine. If left untreated, the prognosis of this disease is poor, with pain and progressive loss of neurological function resulting from disease progression. The goals of treatment for spinal metastases include alleviation of pain, control of local tumor burden, stabilization or reversal of neurological dysfunction and even cure of the neoplastic process. Surgery, radiotherapy and radiosurgery all play a role in the management of spinal metastases, and the indications and outcomes for each of these treatment options is discussed in the following chapter. With appropriate and timely intervention, the treatment of metastatic spine disease can be highly beneficial to the patient, with improvements seen in both quality of life and length of survival.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vancouver General Hospital, 2733 Heather Street, D6 Heather Pavilion, VGH, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 3J5, Canada

    Michael A. Nikolakis & Charles G. Fisher

Authors
  1. Michael A. Nikolakis
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  2. Charles G. Fisher
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Correspondence to Charles G. Fisher .

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  1. , Kean University, Room 213, Library building, Morris Avenue 1000, Union, 07083, New Jersey, USA

    M.A. Hayat

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Nikolakis, M.A., Fisher, C.G. (2012). Metastatic Spine Disease: Indications, Timing, and Outcomes for Surgery and Radiation Therapy. In: Hayat, M. (eds) Tumors of the Central Nervous System, Volume 6. Tumors of the Central Nervous System, vol 6. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2866-0_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2866-0_18

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  • Online ISBN: 978-94-007-2866-0

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