New Surgical Procedure Improves Quality Of Life For Breast Cancer Patients

Main Category: Breast Cancer
Article Date: 05 Sep 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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Toronto Western Hospital has pioneered a new procedure minimally invasive, outpatient spine surgery for cancer that has spread to the spine. Approximately, 40 - 50 percent of metastic cancers end up in the spine. The most common primary cancers to spread to the bones of the spine are breast and lung cancer. Spinal tumours can drastically affect a patient's quality of life and result in pain and reduced mobility. A spinal tumour or a growth of any kind can impinge on nerves, leading to pain, neurological problems and sometimes paralysis.

This procedure involves a small incision in the back (the size of a loonie) in order to remove the tumour and stabilize the damaged spine. The benefits are not only a shorter recovery time, but also allows patients to receive radiation treatment shortly after surgery. Traditional surgical methods involve a longer and more painful recovery process and as a result, patients must wait weeks before they can resume radiation treatment. The combination of surgery and radiation leads to better outcomes and quality of life.

Source: University Health Network (UHN)

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