Three percent of all spinal fractures are related to diseases such as cancer. Now, a new medical device used to treat spinal fractures due to osteoporosis is helping to treat painful spinal fractures in cancer patients. Saint Barnabas Medical Center is one of only a few sites nationwide to use the minimally invasive procedure to treat these cancer-related vertebral compression fractures.

“We are reaching out to cancer patients to offer information about this procedure,” says Kenneth Kopacz, M.D., attending orthopedic surgeon with Saint Barnabas Medical Center. “Unlike traditional spinal surgery, Kyphoplasty™, is truly minimally invasive. The procedure takes a half hour and is performed under local anesthetic. It fixes the fracture immediately and patients are pain-free and better able to focus on the rest of their cancer care needs.”

THE PROCEDURE
Orthopedic surgeons Casey Lee, M.D., and Dr. Kopacz perform Kyphoplasty™, a new type of spinal surgery using a small, inflated balloon to elevate the collapsed vertebral bone and realign the spinal column.

The procedure involves a surgeon making an incision in the skin, then drilling down and into the fractured vertebral body. While the physician monitors the situation by X-ray, a small balloon is inserted through the hole and into the fractured vertebra. As it inflates inside the bone, the balloon elevates the collapsed vertebra back toward its normal position. Once the balloon is removed, the remaining cavity left behind is filled with bone cement to create an “internal cast.”

This cast fixes the fracture and prevents further collapse of the treated vertebral body.

As compared to conventional surgical treatment, Kyphoplasty™ is a
minimally invasive procedure with a short operative and outpatient time and use of local or general anesthesia. It is reported to provide immediate pain relief and a shortened time to resume daily activities, while stabilizing the vertebral fracture and restoring vertebrate body height.

CANCER CAN DAMAGE BONE
There are two types of cancer that can cause the spine to weaken and eventually fracture: bone metastasis and multiple myeloma.

Bone metastasis occurs when cancer spreads to the bone. Malignant cells that spread to the bone can cause destructive legions, increasing bone loss and decreasing bone strength. Up to 41 percent of patients receiving radiation to treat bone metastasis experience bone fractures.

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of bone marrow plasma cells. These cells produce antibodies in the bone marrow. Approximately 75 percent of multiple myeloma patients experience bone pain and weakness, which is associated with vertebral fractures in more than 50 percent of patients upon diagnosis.

In addition, patients also can develop compound fractures as a result of cancer therapy, including the use of radiation and steroids.

“Patients with these fractures are in severe pain,” says Michael Scoppetulo, M.D., attending hematologist/oncologist with The Cancer Center at Saint Barnabas Medical Center and Vice President of Medical Affairs for the Saint Barnabas Hospice and Palliative Care Center. “With this procedure you can alleviate that localized pain and eliminate the need for pain medications.”

For more information about Kyphoplasty for cancer, please contact Drs. Lee and Kopacz at (973) 226-2725. To reach The Cancer Center at Saint Barnabas Medical Center, please call (973) 322-5200.