Surgical Treatment of Spinal Plasma Cell Tumors

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to review the cases of spinal plasma cell tumors treated in our department with regard to presenting symptoms and signs, diagnostic investigations, extent of surgical interventions, complications, survival time and influence on the quality of life. METHODS: In a retrospective study, twelve spinal plasma cell tumor patients who underwent surgery were evaluated between Oct. 1991 and Dec. 2000. Clinical staging system was evaluated by Durie-Salmon Staging System. RESULTS: There were multiple myeloma in nine and solitary plasmacytoma in three patients, six men and six women and aged 38 to 69 years(mean 56.8 years). The locations of the lesions were two cervical, two cervico-thoracic, three thoracic, one thoraco-lumbar, three lumbar and one sacral. The most common initial presenting symptom and sign were local pain and motor weakness. Radiographs showed pathologic compression fracture in six and the MRI finding were cortical infolding, focal to diffuse patterns of low-signal on T1WI, high signal intensity on T2WI, and variable of enhancement on Gadolinium enhanced T1W1. Sixteen operations were performed. and the adjuvant theraphy included radiotheraphy, chemotheraphy(combined oral melphalan and predinisone), and autologous PBST(peripheral blood stem cell transplantation). The follow-up period was three to sixty months(mean 27.0 months). The mean Karnofsky scale score was changed from 54.5 to 73.3 after follow up. One patient died of pulmonary metastasis and sepsis. CONCLUSION: Our experience suggests that treatment of spinal plasma cell tumor may be rewarding.