The number of patients who will develop metastatic spinal tumors is estimated to be between 5 and 10% of all cancer patients. As the therapy for systemic cancer improves, the number of patients developing symptomatic spinal tumors that require local therapy will increase. Over the last 10 years there has been a dramatic evolution in our ability to treat spinal tumors. These advances have not only been created by improvements in surgical techniques and instrumentation, but also developments in radiographic imaging, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. It is important for spine surgeons, radiologists, and radiation and medical oncologists to continue developing techniques for spinal salvage that will improve pain relief, achieve mechanical stability, improve or maintain neurologic function and sustain local tumor control. The evolution of these technologies will help to provide palliation and improve quality of life for patients with metastatic disease.
