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- Talk
- 22/09/2021
- UK
The Management of Spinal Oligometastases at a Supra-Regional Centre in the Era of Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy
Description
Ben Barkham, a registrar from Southwest London, presents on the project K regarding spinal oligometastatic disease and discusses the role of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) in treatment. He explains that spinal oligometastatic disease represents a low volume of metastatic cancer within the spine, and outlines the various surgical options available, such as separation surgery and en bloc surgery, which aim to maximize local control. Barkham emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach, incorporating insights from both neurosurgeons and oncologists for patient treatment.
He shares findings from a case series retrospective review of patients treated between 2017 and 2021, highlighting demographic information and the types of cancers observed, with breast and sarcomas being the most prevalent. The discussion covers advancements in surgical techniques, the use of radiofrequency ablation to destroy cancer cells, and the adoption of carbon fiber screws for spinal instrumentation, which reduce interference with radiotherapy compared to traditional metal alloys.
Barkham reports on the outcomes of the procedures, noting infection rates and some complications, including a failure of titanium metalwork versus the sturdy performance of carbon fiber. He summarizes the case series, concluding that while there is no conclusive evidence yet to demonstrate significant prognostic benefits of combined surgical techniques and SABR, early results show safety and promising outcomes, as well as low recurrence rates in operated areas. His presentation ends with a note of no conflicts of interest.