A Review of the Literature on Metastatic Spine Disease

Metastatic spine disease is increasing in incidence and is a major cause for patient morbidity and mortality. The clinical presentation is often characterised by pain and spinal deformity and often progresses to neurological deficits without treatment. The cornerstones of treatment have been chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery to debulk and stabilize the spine. However, these are considered palliative procedures being limited by damage to normal healthy tissues. Recent studies have focused on the key pathways that mediate tumour progression and spread to bone and more targeted therapies that may reduce the injury to normal cells. This article reviews the key features, clinical presentation, workup and treatment options of spinal metastases.