New Technique Using Microwave Technology Eases Pain from Spinal Tumors

Many patients with advanced cancers experience significant pain caused by metastases that have spread to the spine, and can be excruciating as tumor growth replaces bone, especially if the tumor touches or pinches a nerve. Although medication may help to ease the pain, many have side effects and do not treat the underlying issue of tumor growth. By offering a new technique to reduce pain from spinal tumors, doctors from the Sandra and Malcom Berman Brain & Spine Institute at LifeBridge Health are attempting to combat this issue. During the procedure, doctors use X-ray guidance to place a probe through a small incision in the spinal tumor. Then, using a steerable radio wave antenna, microwave energy heats the tumor to 120 degrees to destroy the cells. However, when the tumor is destroyed, the spine can be unstable, so surgeons add a liquid cement to fill the tumor void and support the bone. Doctors often perform the procedure using only light sedation, local anesthesia and a small incision. It typically take less than an hour and patients can usually go home the same day. “It’s important to understand that while this procedure relieves pain in the spine, it does not treat the underlying cancer. However, pain from these spinal tumors can be debilitating, so any relief can make a huge difference for these patients. While the cancer may still be there, the pain is not,” said a neurosurgeon from the institute. To read more about this procedure, click here.