CERVICAL SPINAL METASTASIS

Abstract

The spinal column is the commonest site for bony metastasis. Metastasis to the spine is on the rise due to improvements in systemic therapies and longevity of cancer patients. The treatment of spinal metastasis has evolved over the years. Traditionally conventional radiotherapy and corticosteroids were used. Patchel et al emphasized the role of surgery in spinal metastasis in his seminal work in 2005. Stereotactic radiosurgery, an advancement in radiation oncology, confers durable local disease control. We present a 33 year old female with a cervical vertebral metastasis of unknown primary treated with corpectomy and fusion. We will discuss the decision making framework for treatment of spinal metastasis and the various therapies for metastasis to the spine.