‘Magic wand’ for spinal metastases

Cancer that has spread to the spine can cause vertebral compression fractures (VCF), or a collapse of the vertebrae.

This can result in debilitating back pain, loss of mobility, and even paralysis. A new technology is allowing doctors to repair this condition quickly—patients are often able to go home the same day they’re treated.

In April 2007, the Food & Drug Administration approved a device called the Cavity SpineWand, which is now being used in many medical centers around the country. The 6-inch wand uses a technology called bipolar radiofrequency to gently remove soft tissue, allowing doctors to hollow out the tumor. Then they can stabilize the fractured vertebrae by inserting medical-grade bone cement. Using the wand, which is inserted through a small incision, enables doctors to get inside the spine without cutting a patient open. They can also use the wand to create a cavity into which cement can be poured.

Traditionally, there have been two options for treating VCF in people with cancer: bed rest and bracing or open-spine surgery. The first is often unsuccessful, and the second is risky and potentially debilitating.

The new procedure, while performed on only about 350 people so far, is covered by most insurance plans and takes about two hours to complete.

This is not a lifesaving treatment, cautions Dawid Schellingerhout, MD, assistant professor of medicine at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Texas. “But people who undergo this procedure feel much better. The most important thing they gain is quality of life. If they have six months left to live, they don’t spend it in bed, doped up on morphine. They get to be out and about, smelling the roses, and hanging out with their kids.”