Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States.1 The proclivity for metastatic spread is a hallmark of this disorder and occurs in approximately two thirds of cancer patients. Metastases usually occur in the lung and liver and frequently involve the skeletal system. The spine is the most common site of skeletal metastasis.Over 80% of individuals who die with metastatic disease have documented spinal involvement.2 As the lesion expands, the triad of vertebral body destruction, instability, and neurological compromise occur. Effective treatment is largely dependent on early recognition of the disease and must employ a multidisciplinary approach involving surgeons, medical, and radiation oncologists.
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