Surgical treatment of metastatic spinal tumor.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of surgical treatment on metastatic spinal tumor.

Methods: The results of surgical intervention for metastatic spinal tumor of 31 consecutive patients since October 1985 were reviewed.

Results: The average survival time was 17.6 months (range from 3 months to 9 years), and 4 patients are still alive with an average survival time of 24.6 months (range, 14 to approximately 84 months). No postoperative complication was noted. The preoperative symptoms were partially relieved and neurological functions were improved after surgery.

Conclusion: Surgical treatment for metastatic spinal tumor could improve the life quality, but should be adopted cautiously. The surgical procedures such as decompression and internal fixation should be involved only when neurological deficits occurred. The surgery with postoperative complementary therapy may not only improve the life quality, but also extend the patients' life span.