Treatment of Metastatic Carcinoma Involvign Cervical Spine by Using Bone Cement

Sohn, Sung Keun; Park, Seung Rim; Park, Chang Il; Choi, Kyung Soo

Abstract

Metastatic malignant tumors involving the spine cause destruction of vertebral body, kyphosis and neural deficit. Irradiation relieves the pain and decreases the tumor mass, but sometimes the spine is progressively destroyed and becomes unstable. Traeatment of metastatic tumor involving the spine is difficult. Replacement of the vertebral body with bone cement and high dosage of radiation therapy was recommended by Harrington. The advantages are excision of the tumor mass, firm immobilization and enough irradiation not to recur. Two cases of metastatic carcinoma involving cervical spine were treated by anterior decompression, bone cement fixation and irradiation. One case died seventeen days after surgery due to severe pleural effusion. Another case was treated with irradiation (6,000 rads) after surgery and the pain was relieved. The spine is stable one year after surgery. There is no local recurrence.