title: Surgical management of metastatic spinal tumors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The spine is the most common site of skeletal metastases. The evolution of surgical methods, medical treatment, and radiation therapy has led to improved survival, functional status, and quality of life for patients with cancer. The role of surgery in the treatment of patients with spinal metastases has evolved over time.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review of publications describing the role of open surgery and vertebroplasty was performed and the results are summarized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The treatment goals of spinal metastases include the preservation and restoration of neurologic function and spinal stability. Modern imaging modalities provide accurate methods of tumor diagnosis. A variety of approaches and stabilization techniques are available and should be tailored to the location of the tumor and systemic comorbidities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As part of multidisciplinary treatment that includes radiation therapy and chemotherapy, surgery provides an effective method of restoration and preservation of neurologic function and spinal stability for patients with metastatic spinal tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Laufer
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Sciubba
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Madera
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bydon
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Witham
authors.forename: Z L
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Gokaslan
authors.forename: J-P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Wolinsky
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*