The purpose of this research is to combine two complementary modes of treatment, spinal interstitial laser ablation and stereotactic spine radiosurgery (SSRS) for the treatment for spinal tumors near the spinal cord with an objective to improve tumor control, improve pain control, preserve function, and improve quality of life. We will also assess how effective these combined modes of treatment are in patients with spinal metastasis with an epidural component.
Age > 18 years old. (The indication for this technique is controversial in skeletally immature patients.)
Histologic diagnosis of solid malignant tumor (not one of the more radiosensitive histologic subtypes, see
Quantification of the degree of epidural spinal cord compression as grade 1C, 2, or 3 by MRI, with and without contrast sequences. Axial T2 sequence is encouraged but not required.
The vertebral body site to be treated must be located from T2 to L1
No more than 3 contiguous or dis-contiguous vertebral levels involved with metastasis in the spine to be irradiated in a single session or 3 sessions.
Motor strength ≥4 out of 5 in extremity or extremities affected by the level of the spinal cord compression (see section 4 for grading method).
Henry Ford Health System
Lead sponsor
Medtronic
Collaborator