Title: Metastatic Spinal Disease | Its Treatment Options
1(No Transcript)
2Metastatic Spinal Disease Understanding the
Life-Threatening Condition
- Metastatic spinal disease happens when cancer
cells from one part of the body break away and
travel to the spinal bones to cause Metastatic
spinal tumours in the spine. Also referred to as
metastatic spinal cancer, it is an advanced
condition that causes pain, weakness, breathing
difficulty, bowel incontinence, and even
paralysis. - Cancer in the spine has a worse prognosis than
cancer not in the spine, says a spine surgeon in
the UK, Mr. Jwalant S. Mehta. In simpler terms,
cancer that has spread to the spine can cause
more severe problems to the patient, is difficult
to treat, and can even be fatal in some cases. - Unfortunately, metastatic spinal disease or
cancer is the most common secondary cancer in
almost 60 of advanced cancer patients. With the
inputs from Children and Adult Spinal Surgeon Mr.
Jwalant S. Mehta, let us delve into this
condition to know more about this serious
condition.
3Metastatic Spinal Disease Understanding the
Life-Threatening Condition
- Complications of Metastatic Spinal Disease How
Metastasis Impacts the Spine? - Medical researchers havent yet found the exact
reason for cancer spreading to different body
parts. - It is a complex combination of multiple factors,
which also vary depending on the type of cancer
and its stage, including the size and location of
the primary tumour, according to a spine surgeon
in the UK, Mr Jwalant S Mehta. - Cancer cells may travel through the bloodstream
or lymphatic vessels, spreading to the spine
through nearby tumours. - But when they do, these cancer cells can cause
problems for the spine in different ways
4Metastatic Spinal Disease Understanding the
Life-Threatening Condition
Bone Metastases Cancer cells that reach the
spinal bones weaken them, leading to the
development of spinal instability along with
intense pain and nerve damage. In some cases,
bone metastases can also lead to nerve
compression and a host of associated problems it
triggers. Spinal Cord Metastases The cancer
cells may gradually damage the spinal cord,
eventually leading to weakness, paralysis, and
other associated problems like bowel and bladder
incontinence. Nerve Root Metastases The cancer
cells that reach the nerves in the spine may
interfere with their function, causing muscle
weakness, pain, numbness, and tingling
sensation. Effectively, this multiple metastases
eventually leads to brittle spinal bones, pain,
weakness, numbness, nerve damage, and bowel and
bladder incontinence, which are the most common
symptoms experienced by patients with metastatic
spinal diseases.
5Metastatic Spinal TumoursTypes, Complications
Treatment
Metastatic Spinal Disease Understanding the
Life-Threatening Condition
- Diagnosis Treatment of Metastatic Spinal
Disease - After analyzing the medical history and physical
exam results, imaging studies like X-rays, MRI,
or bone scans and a biopsy are performed to
diagnose metastatic spinal disease or cancer. - The treatment for metastatic spinal disease
depends on the stage of the disease and its
severity. - Various treatment options are used to manage and
treat metastatic spine cancer. - A spine specialist approaches the treatment
intending to relieve pain, stabilize the spine,
and improve the overall quality of life for the
patient. - To this effect, the specialist may use
chemotherapy to shrink the tumours, radiation
therapy to kill cancer cells, pain medication to
relieve pain, and physical or occupational
therapy to improve body mechanics.
6Metastatic Spinal Disease Understanding the
Life-Threatening Condition
- Depending on the clinical history and severity
of the condition, these treatment options are
used individually or in a phased manner to treat
this challenging condition. - A pre-existing cancerous condition is almost
always the reason behind metastatic spinal
tumours. - However, this condition may also develop without
a pre-existing cancer in rare cases. So it is
essential to closely examine any spinal issues
and consult a spine specialist as soon as
possible. - If you are living in and around this area, you
can contact spine specialist Dr. Jwalant S. Mehta
7 Contact us
- Royal Orthopaedic Hospital
- BMI The Priory Hospital
- Spire Parkway Hospital
- Bromsgrove Private Clinic
- Birmingham Childrens Hospital
8Contact and Connect
- Clinical secretary Samantha Leavy 44 785 021
1939 - Medico-legal secretary Jan Clarke 44 121
4508928 - Spire Parkway Hospital 0121 704 5500
- BMI NEC (National Enquiry Centre)Â 0808 101 0337
- BMI Priory 0121 446 1638
- Email secretary_at_mehtaspine.co.uk
- The appointments are booked through the clinic