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Oncological Principles

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Handbook of Spine Technology

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Abstract

Surgical resection of neoplastic spinal pathology requires a multifactorial understanding and appreciation of the anatomy and biomechanics of the spinal column, pathologic characterization of the lesion, multidisciplinary options available, best guidelines for treatment, patient presentation, and feasibility of resection. When counseling patients with spinal pathologies, in my practice, I distill decision-making into three key questions: “(1) What is the tumor histology? (2) What is it doing to the patient neurologically and mechanically? (3) What are the patient’s options?” The first question aims at identifying a conclusive radiographic and pathologic diagnosis. The second assesses the patient’s symptomatology, clinical presentation, spinal stability, and systemic burden. These two dictate the final query – describing treatment options and indications/extent of surgical resection. This chapter aims to provide an overview of essential principles in spinal oncology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Karim Ahmed, Zach Pennington, Camilo A. Molina & Daniel M. Sciubba

Authors
  1. Karim Ahmed
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  2. Zach Pennington
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  3. Camilo A. Molina
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  4. Daniel M. Sciubba
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Daniel M. Sciubba .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Allegheny General Hospital Department of Neurosurgery, Mars, PA, USA

    Boyle Cheng

Section Editor information

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Missouri Health Care, Columbia, OH, USA

    Don K. Moore

  2. Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    William C. Welch

  3. Department of Neurosurgery, Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    William C. Welch

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Ahmed, K., Pennington, Z., Molina, C.A., Sciubba, D.M. (2020). Oncological Principles. In: Cheng, B. (eds) Handbook of Spine Technology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33037-2_127-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33037-2_127-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-33037-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-33037-2

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