Complex surgery for tumors involving the vertebrae, spinal cord, or nerve roots, and for fractures of the spine caused by trauma
Spinal tumors may be primary or, more commonly, metastatic — cancer that has spread to the spine from elsewhere in the body
Goals of surgery include relieving compression of the spinal cord, restoring stability, controlling pain, and preserving or recovering neurological function
Often requires a combination of tumor removal and stabilization with instrumentation
For many spinal tumors, surgery is combined with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), which delivers a high, focused dose of radiation to the tumor while protecting the spinal cord
Treatment is planned in coordination with oncology and radiation oncology as part of a multidisciplinary team
