SPINAL CORD DECOMPRESSION AND RESECTION TECHNIQUES IN METASTATIC TUMORS

With the prolongation of life expectancy in cancer patients, the incidence of metastatic tumors is in-creasing, and spinal metastases are a significant cause of morbidity. Spinal metastases commonly in-volve the thoracic, lumbar, and cervical spine and may spread to the bone, epidural, intradural, and intramedullary areas. Surgical approaches play a significant role in treatment options. Laminectomy is a commonly used method in cases of spinal metastasis; however, it may increase spinal instability when fusion is not performed. More modern approaches include circumferential decompression and open and percutaneous instrumentation methods. En bloc spondylodesis, a more aggressive approach, is a technique that allows for the total resection of the vertebral lesion. In recent years, separation surgery, a branch of hybrid therapy, aims to increase the effectiveness of radiation therapy by creating space between the tumor and the spinal cord. Endoscopic approaches offer minimally invasive surgi-cal options and reduce the risk of complications such as wound infection. These approaches enable patients to recover more quickly and begin adjuvant therapy earlier. This section discusses spinal cord decompression and tumor resection techniques in metastatic spinal tumors.