USF-LVHN SELECT

Surgical Intervention vs. Radiation Therapy: The Shifting Paradigm in Treating Metastatic Spinal Disease.

Publication/Presentation Date

10-3-2018

Abstract

The spine is one of the most common sites to which metastatic cancer is likely to spread and is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. While no medical treatments have been definitively shown to extend the life expectancy of patients with spinal metastasis, interventional options may be the only viable option in improving outcomes. Currently, two main options exist: surgical resection and radiotherapy, with radiotherapy being the primary treatment modality. In this review, we discuss the research comparing the efficacy and outcomes of radiotherapy and surgical resection in treating spinal metastasis. We conclude that while radiosurgery will continue to remain a major treatment modality, surgical intervention has proven to have equal to or superior outcomes at improving function, symptoms, and life expectancy for patients with metastatic spinal disease and should be considered a primary modality in an expanding subset of patients.

Volume

10

Issue

10

First Page

3406

Last Page

3406

ISSN

2168-8184

Disciplines

Medical Education | Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

30533340

Department(s)

USF-LVHN SELECT Program, USF-LVHN SELECT Program Students

Document Type

Article

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