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World J Clin Oncol. Aug 10, 2014; 5(3): 263-271
Published online Aug 10, 2014. doi: 10.5306/wjco.v5.i3.263
Diagnosis and surgical management of breast cancer metastatic to the spine
Derek G Ju, Alp Yurter, Ziya L Gokaslan, Daniel M Sciubba
Derek G Ju, Alp Yurter, Ziya L Gokaslan, Daniel M Sciubba, Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States
Author contributions: Ju DG and Sciubba DM designed the research; Ju DG and Yurter A performed the research; Ju DG, Yurter A, Gokaslan ZL and Sciubba DM contributed new analysis; Ju DG and Sciubba DM wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Daniel M Sciubba, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery, Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Johns Hopkins University, 600 North Wolfe Street, Meyer 5-185a, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States. dsciubb1@jhmi.edu
Telephone: +1-410-9554424 Fax: +1-410-5023399
Received: December 29, 2013
Revised: April 19, 2014
Accepted: May 16, 2014
Published online: August 10, 2014
Processing time: 214 Days and 22.7 Hours
Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy and the second leading cause of death in Western women. Breast cancer most commonly metastasizes to the bone and has a particular affinity with the spine, accounting for 2/3 of osseous metastases discovered. With significant improvements in cancer therapies, the number of patients at risk for symptomatic spinal metastases is likely to increase. Patients may suffer from intractable pain and neurological dysfunction, negatively influencing their quality of life. Timely diagnosis of patients is crucial and has been aided by several breakthrough advances in imaging techniques which aid in detection, staging, and follow-up of bone metastases. Breast metastases are usually responsive to hormonal therapy and pharmacologic interventions, but skeletal metastases often require surgical intervention. The treatments are palliative but goals include the preserving or restoring neurologic function, ensuring spinal stability, and relieving pain. Advances in surgical techniques and instrumentation have allowed more effective decompression and stabilization of the spine, and with the support of recent evidence the trend has shifted towards using more advanced surgical options in appropriately selected patients. In this review, the clinical presentation, diagnosis, patient selection, and surgical management of breast cancer metastatic to the spine are discussed.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Spine; Metastasis; Surgery; Outcomes; Decompression

Core tip: Breast cancer most commonly metastasizes to the bone and has a particular affinity for the spine. The treatment for symptomatic spinal metastases remains palliative and is not intended to prolong survival. Surgical advances in the last few decades have allowed improved spinal cord decompression and tumor resection. With the support of recent literature, the trend has shifted towards using more advanced surgical options in appropriately selected patients. Goals of treatment include restoration of and preservation of neurological function, maintaining spinal stability, and pain relief in an effort to achieve a better quality of life.