OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy of surgical treatment of the patients with metastatic spinal tumors by anterial decompression and stabilization.

METHODSFrom December 1997 to December 2003, 93 patients (40 women and 53 men) with metastatic spinal tumors were treated in our department. The locations of the tumor included, thoracic vertebra (53 cases), lumbar vertebra (33 cases), and cervical region (7 cases). The original tumors included lung cancer (21 cases), renal cancer (13 cases), prostate cancer (8 cases), hepatic cancer (5 cases), breast cancer (13 cases), thyroid cancer (5 cases), gastrointestinal tumor (3 cases), and multiple myeloma (8 cases). However, no primary tumor was found in the rest of 17 cases. Among 54 of 93 patients who presented with neurological dysfunction, 16 patients completely paralyzed and others incompletely paralyzed. The follow-up time ranged from 10 to 72 months.

RESULTSPain was relieved in 87 of 93 patients (93.5%) and neurological function was improved in 47 of the 54 patients. Among 16 completely paralyzed patients, 7 patients experienced a neurological function improvement (from Frankel grade A or B to C or D after decompression). The average amount of blood transfused was 3000 ml. No severe complications were seen in our series. The one-year survival rate was 85% (79 cases).

CONCLUSIONSThe integrity of the spinal column structure and neurological function should be considered firstly in the treatment of spinal metastasis. Thorough resection of metastatic tumor and stable internal fixation by anterior approach should be performed when single or two vertebra are involved. In order to alleviate paralysis, promote spinal stability, and improve the quality of life, urgent decompression should be performed on patient with spinal metastasis.