title: Metastases in the cervical spine from primary head and neck cancers: current concepts of diagnosis and management.
abstract: Vertebral metastases from primary head and neck cancers are uncommon, and so there are no clear guidelines about management. The spinal cord can be compressed by a vertebral fracture or invasion of a tumour, and may present as an oncological and spinal emergency. The goals of treatment are to relieve pain and maintain neurological function. However, surgical treatments in this group of patients have not been defined, and primary operative treatment of spinal metastases remains controversial. Here we discuss their contemporary management. Surgical options should be considered for treatment to achieve stability of the spine, relieve pain, and preserve neurological function in certain cases.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, Portsmouth PO6 3LY. Electronic address: serryth@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Colbert
authors.affiliation: Department of Spinal Surgery, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, Portsmouth PO6 3LY. Electronic address: Sush.ramakrishna@porthosp.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ramakrishna
authors.affiliation: Department of Spinal Surgery, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, Portsmouth PO6 3LY. Electronic address: Jason.harvey@porthosp.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.affiliation: Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, Portsmouth PO6 3LY. Electronic address: peter.brennan@porthosp.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Brennan
mesh_terms: D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D000066491:Clinical Decision-Making; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy
keywords: cervical spinal metastasis; head and neck; oral; squamous cell carcinoma