Unstable Cervical Spine Caused by Metastatic Tumors

ABSTRACT

Metastatic tumors of the cervical spine represent an omnious complication of systemic cancer. Neoplastic disease of the cervical spine is a rare disorder. Because of the potential morbidity and mortality associated with cervical tumors, their significance to both patients and surgeon is much greater than the incidence. The potential for devasating morbidity associated with unstable symptomatic cervical spine stresses the importance of early recognition and vigorous treatment of this disorder. Our approach to the problem is based on an experience which includes surgical treatment in a series of eight consecutive patients with symptomatic spinal metastases during three years from September 1993 to August 1996. The primary foci were lung in 4 cases, breast in 2, prostate in 2, and unknown in 1. The surgery performed with anterior approach in 3 cases, posterior in 4 cases, combined in 1. The immediate postoperative result was excellent without any surgical complications. The author thinks that unstable cervical metastatic tumors may be required a vigorous treatment because of its devasating nature.