Treatment of spine metastases in cancer: a review

Abstract

As a consequence of the improvements in diagnostic technology along with gains in life expectancy of cancer patients, the incidence of spine metastases has increased. Spine metastases can affect the patient’s quality of life and negatively impact on their prognosis. Multidisciplinary treatments involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiosurgery and radiotherapy. Spine metastases should be treated using a multidisciplinary and integrated approach that involves spinal surgeons, medical oncologists and radiologists. More research is required to elucidate the pathological mechanisms involved in the aetiology of spine metastasis. This review describes the current situation regarding the diagnosis of spine metastasis, what is understood about the pathological development of spine metastasis and the evolution of the multidisciplinary treatments that are available for patients with spine metastases.