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Surgical avenues of treatment are often a preferred method of defense when a cancerous or benign spinal tumor is endangering the well-being and neurologic function of a patient. The type and approach to surgery is dependent upon the size, location, and severity of the tumor and is advisable for those who can withstand the stresses of surgery and recovery. Additionally, surgery may not be an option for patients whose tumor is situated in a location where nerve damage is unavoidable. Should a tumor on the cervical, mid, or lower spine prove operable, there are a number of techniques used in decompression (removal of a tumor and affected bone/tissue) as well as the surgical restoration of spine stability. Read on to learn what these options are:
An In-Depth Look at Tumor Removal & Spine Reconstruction & Stabilization
Decompression is the surgical term used to describe the removal of a benign or cancerous growth that is pressing on the spinal cord or spinal nerves, causing compression. This compression is attributed to a number of spine tumor symptoms, including but not limited to, severe spinal/back pain, loss of sensation and motor control, changes in bowl and/or bladder function, as well as spinal deformities.
The removal of a dangerous cervical, lumber, and thoracic tumor is advised to alleviate the symptoms of a spine tumor, arrest further spinal column and nerve damage, and restore quality of life. However, when a tumorous growth and the surrounding affected bone and tissue are removed, a spine will oftentimes become unstable, requiring additional reconstructive action to stop the movement between bones. This surgical step is imperative to preventing spinal cord and neurological injury that is a result of this movement. To stabilize the spinal column, minimally invasive spine surgery or traditional open surgery techniques are used to insert bone grafts and supportive spinal instrumentation (plates, screws, rods,and cages etc.).
Options in decompression and reconstructive spine tumor surgery include:
- Posterior Cervical Spine Fusion: Fusing the cervical vertebrae using a bone graft and typically, spinal instrumentation
- Cervical Corpectomy: In this procedure, the cervical vertebrae are almost completely removed to achieve spinal cord and nerve decompression. Bone grafts and titanium spacers may then be inserted during the reconstruction process. Anterior cervical plating is then often used. Many times a cervical corpectomy in the setting of spinal tumors involves supplementing it with a posterior cervical fusion as well to restore spinal column stability.
- Lumbar Corpectomy: This surgery involves removal of the lumbar vertebrae that is affected by the tumor. The corpectomy can be done through an anterior approach or through a newer all posterior approach. Titanium spacers and instrumentation are used to reconstruct the lumbar vertebrae after it has been removed.
- Posterior Lumber Spinal Fusion: Oftentimes this surgery can be completed minimally invasively and involves the fusion of the lower vertebrae with bone grafts and in certain instances, spinal instrumentation.
If you want to learn more about spine tumor surgery, turn to the professionals at University Spine Associates and contact us today. |
