scholarly journals Epidemiology of spinal cord and column tumors

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i5-i9
Author(s):  
Joshua T Wewel ◽  
John E O’Toole

Abstract The spine is a frequent location for metastatic disease. As local control of primary tumor pathology continues to improve, survival rates improve and, by extension, the opportunity for metastasis increases. Breast, lung, and prostate cancer are the leading contributors to spinal metastases. Spinal metastases can manifest as bone pain, pathologic fractures, spinal instability, nerve root compression, and, in its most severe form, spinal cord compression. The global extent of disease, the spinal burden, neurologic status, and life expectancy help to categorize patients as to their candidacy for treatment options. Efficient identification and workup of those with spinal metastases will expedite the treatment cascade and improve quality of life.

2018 ◽  
pp. 159-174
Author(s):  
Adam M. Robin ◽  
Ilya Laufer

A decision-making framework called NOMS (neurologic, oncologic, mechanical and systemic) facilitates and guides therapeutic decisions for patients with spinal metastases. Patients should be evaluated for signs of myelopathy or cauda equina syndrome. The Epidural Spinal Cord Compression (ESCC) scale facilitates reporting of the degree of radiographic spinal cord compression. A determination of the expected histology-specific tumor response to conventionally fractionated external beam radiation (cEBRT) and systemic therapy should be made. Radiation therapy effectively treats biologic pain for radiosensitive tumors such as multiple myeloma. Patients should undergo a careful evaluation of movement-associated pain as tumor-induced spinal instability is an independent indication for surgery. Determination of tumor-associated mechanical instability can be facilitated by the Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS). Herein, the authors present a case of spinal multiple myeloma managed using the NOMS framework and in consideration of current evidence and treatment paradigms.


2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 274-274
Author(s):  
Simone E Dekker ◽  
Chad A Glenn ◽  
Thomas A Ostergard ◽  
Osmond C Wu ◽  
Fernando Alonso ◽  
...  

Abstract This 3-dimensional operative video illustrates resection of 2 cervical spine schwannomas in a 19-yr-old female with neurofibromatosis type 2. The patient presented with lower extremity hyperreflexity and hypertonicity. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated 2 contrast-enhancing intradural extramedullary cervical spine lesions causing spinal cord compression at C4 and C5. The patient underwent a posterior cervical laminoplasty with a midline dural opening for tumor resection. Curvilinear spine cord compression is demonstrated in the operative video. After meticulous dissection, the tumors were resected without complication. The dural closure was performed in watertight fashion followed by laminoplasty using osteoplastic titanium miniplates and screws. Postoperative MRI demonstrated gross total resection with excellent decompression of the spinal cord. The postoperative course was uneventful. The natural history of this disease, treatment options, and potential complications are discussed.


2015 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk Rades ◽  
Stefan Huttenlocher ◽  
Amira Bajrovic ◽  
Johann H. Karstens ◽  
Tobias Bartscht

Abstract Background. This study was initiated to create a predictive instrument for estimating the survival of patients with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC) from esophageal cancer. Methods. In 27 patients irradiated for MESCC from esophageal cancer, the following nine characteristics were evaluated for potential impact on survival: age, gender, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score, histology, number of involved vertebrae, ambulatory status before irradiation, further bone metastases, visceral metastases, and dynamic of developing motor deficits before irradiation. In addition, the impact of the radiation regimen was investigated. According to Bonferroni correction, p-values of < 0.006 were significant representing an alpha level of < 0.05. Results. ECOG performance score (p < 0.001), number of involved vertebrae (p = 0.005), and visceral metastases (p = 0.004) had a significant impact on survival and were included in the predictive instrument. Scoring points for each characteristic were calculated by dividing the 6-months survival rates (in %) by 10. The prognostic score for each patient was obtained by adding the scoring points of the three characteristics. The prognostic scores were 4, 9, 10, 14 or 20 points. Three prognostic groups were formed, 4 points (n = 11), 9-14 points (n = 12) and 20 points (n = 4). The corresponding 6-months survival rates were 0%, 33% and 100%, respectively (p < 0.001). Median survival times were 1 month, 5 months and 16.5 months, respectively. Conclusions. This new instrument allows the physician estimate the 6-months survival probability of an individual patient presenting with MESCC from esophageal cancer. This is important to know for optimally personalizing the treatment of these patients.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 98S-107S ◽  
Author(s):  
Ori Barzilai ◽  
Stefano Boriani ◽  
Charles G. Fisher ◽  
Arjun Sahgal ◽  
Jorrit Jan Verlaan ◽  
...  

Study Design: Literature review. Objective: To provide an overview of the recent advances in spinal oncology, emphasizing the key role of the surgeon in the treatment of patients with spinal metastatic tumors. Methods: Literature review. Results: Therapeutic advances led to longer survival times among cancer patients, placing significant emphasis on durable local control, optimization of quality of life, and daily function for patients with spinal metastatic tumors. Recent integration of modern diagnostic tools, precision oncologic treatment, and widespread use of new technologies has transformed the treatment of spinal metastases. Currently, multidisciplinary spinal oncology teams include spinal surgeons, radiation and medical oncologists, pain and rehabilitation specialists, and interventional radiologists. Consistent use of common language facilitates communication, definition of treatment indications and outcomes, alongside comparative clinical research. The main parameters used to characterize patients with spinal metastases include functional status and health-related quality of life, the spinal instability neoplastic score, the epidural spinal cord compression scale, tumor histology, and genomic profile. Conclusions: Stereotactic body radiotherapy revolutionized spinal oncology through delivery of durable local tumor control regardless of tumor histology. Currently, the major surgical indications include mechanical instability and high-grade spinal cord compression, when applicable, with surgery providing notable improvement in the quality of life and functional status for appropriately selected patients. Surgical trends include less invasive surgery with emphasis on durable local control and spinal stabilization.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (7_suppl) ◽  
pp. 323-323
Author(s):  
Rebecca Louhanepessy ◽  
Sushil Badrising ◽  
Vincent van der Noort ◽  
Jules L. L. M. Coenen ◽  
Paul Hamberg ◽  
...  

323 Background: In 2012 the ALSYMPCA study established a 3.6 month Overall Survival (OS) benefit of mCRPC patients treated with Ra-223 over placebo. To date clinical outcomes of Ra-223 treatment in a non-study population have not been prospectively evaluated. Methods: The ROTOR registry aimed to include 300 patients in 20 Dutch hospitals prior to Ra-223 treatment at the physician’s discretion. Clinical parameters collected included: positioning of Ra-223, Adverse Events (AE’s; CTCAE v4.03), Skeletal Related Events (SRE) and survival data. SRE was defined as radiotherapy to a bone metastasis, a new pathological fracture, spinal cord compression and/or bone surgery. Progression-Free Survival (PFS) was defined as survival until radiological or clinical progression, subsequent treatment or death. Results: Between April 2014 and September 2017, 305 patients were included of whom 300 were evaluable. The mean age of patients was 72.6 (range 46.3-91.5) years, 255 (85%) had ≥ 6 bone metastases and 197 (65.5%) were pretreated with taxanes and/or abiraterone or enzalutamide (214 (71.3%)). Two-hundred and ninety (96.7%) patients were treated with Ra-223. Twenty-nine (9.7%), 104 (34.7%), 96 (32%) and 66 (22%) patients received Ra-223 as a first, second, third, ≥ fourth mCRPC treatment line, respectively. Patients received an average of 4.6 (SD 1.8) cycles of Ra-223, while 140 (46.7%) completed all six cycles. After a median follow-up of 13.2 months, PFS was 5.1 (CI 4.5-5.8) months and OS 15.2 (CI 12.8-17.6) months. Eighty-two (27.3%) patients were hospitalized during Ra-223 treatment (Serious AE). Grade ≥ 3 anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia was found in 54 (18.0%), 8 (2.7%) and 11 (3.7%) patients, respectively. Other frequent AE’s (all grades) were nausea (90 (30%)), diarrhea (83 (27.7%)) and fatigue (178 (59.3%)). SREs were observed in 46 (15.3%) patients; 22 (7.3%) received radiotherapy, 6 (2%) developed pathologic fractures, 17 (5.6%) spinal cord compression and 1 (0.3%) received bone surgery during Ra-223 therapy. Conclusions: The non-study ROTOR population had characteristics, all grade AEs and OS comparable with the treatment arm of ALSYMPCA. Clinical trial information: NCT03223597.


2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 907-911 ◽  
Author(s):  
MOHAMED FAWZY ◽  
MOHAMED EL-BELTAGY ◽  
MAGED EL SHAFEI ◽  
MOHAMED SAAD ZAGHLOUL ◽  
NAGLAA AL KINAAI ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Ori Barzilai ◽  
Mark H. Bilsky ◽  
Ilya Laufer

A decision-making framework called NOMS (neurologic, oncologic, mechanical, and systemic) facilitates and guides therapeutic decisions for patients with spinal metastases. Patients should be evaluated for signs of myelopathy or cauda equina. The Epidural Spinal Cord Compression scale facilitates reporting of the degree of radiographic spinal cord compression. A determination of the expected histology-specific tumor response to conventionally fractionated external beam radiation and systemic therapy should be made. Radiation therapy effectively treats biologic pain and radiosensitive tumors such as multiple myeloma. Patients should undergo a careful evaluation of movement-associated pain as tumor-induced spinal instability is an independent indication for surgery. Determination of tumor-associated mechanical instability can be facilitated by the Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score. Herein, the authors present a case of spinal multiple myeloma managed using the NOMS framework and in consideration of current evidence and treatment paradigms.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 153303382094579
Author(s):  
Hao-ran Zhang ◽  
Ji-kai Li ◽  
Xiong-gang Yang ◽  
Rui-qi Qiao ◽  
Yong-Cheng Hu

Spinal metastases are a common manifestation of malignant tumors that can cause severe pain, spinal cord compression, pathological fractures, and hypercalcemia, and these clinical manifestations will ultimately reduce the health-related quality of life and even shorten life expectancy in patient with cancer. Effective management of spinal bone metastases requires multidisciplinary collaboration, including radiologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, and pain specialists. In the past few decades, conventional radiotherapy has been the most common form of radiotherapy, which can achieve favorable local control and pain relief; however, it lacks precise methods of delivering radiation and thus cannot provide sufficient tumoricidal dose. The advent of stereotactic radiosurgery has changed this situation by using highly focused radiation beams guided by 3-dimensional imaging to deliver a high biologic equivalent dose to the target region, and the spinal cord can be identified and excluded from the target volume to reduce the risk of radiation-induced myelopathy. Separation surgery can provide a 2- to 3-mm safe separation of tumor and spinal cord to avoid radiation-induced damage to the spinal cord. Targets for separation surgery include decompression of metastatic epidural spinal cord compression and spinal stabilization without partial or en bloc tumor resection. Combined with conventional radiotherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery can provide better local tumor control and pain relief. Several scoring systems have been developed to estimate the life expectancy of patients with spinal metastases treated with radiotherapy. Thorough understanding of radiotherapy-related knowledge including the dose-fractionation schedule, separation surgery, efficacy and safety, scoring systems, and feasibility of combination with other treatment methods is critical to providing optimal patient care.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 82 (5) ◽  
pp. 670-677
Author(s):  
Muhammad Omar Chohan ◽  
Sweena Kahn ◽  
Gustav Cederquist ◽  
Anne S Reiner ◽  
Joseph Schwab ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Spine and nonspine skeletal metastases occur in more than 80% of patients with prostate cancer. OBJECTIVE To examine the characteristics of the patient population undergoing surgery for the treatment of prostate cancer metastatic to the spine. METHODS A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients treated at our institution from June 1993 to August 2014 for surgical management of metastatic spine disease from prostate cancer. RESULTS During the study period, 139 patients with 157 surgical lesions underwent surgery for metastatic spine disease. Decompression for high-grade epidural spinal cord compression was required for 126 patients with 143 lesions. Preoperatively, 69% had a motor deficit and 21% were nonambulatory, with 32% due to motor weakness. At surgery, 87% of patients had hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) and 61% failed prior radiation. Median overall survival for HRPC patients was 6.6 mo (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.6-8.6) while the median overall survival for hormone-sensitive patients was 16.3 mo (95% CI: 4.0-26.6). CONCLUSION The majority of patients undergoing surgery for prostate cancer metastases to the spine were refractory to hormone therapy, indicating that patients with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer are unlikely to develop symptomatic spinal cord compression or spinal instability. A significant number of HRPC patients presented with neurological deficits attributable to spinal cord compression. Vigilant monitoring for the development of signs and symptoms of epidural spinal cord compression and spinal instability in hormone-refractory patients is recommended. Surgical decision making may be affected by the much shorter postoperative survival for HRPC patients as compared to patients with hormone-sensitive cancer.


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