En bloc total vertebrectomy for lung cancer invading the spine

Introduction of spinal surgery into lung cancer operations has made extensive operations feasible with an acceptable long-term survival. We report our successful experience of en bloc total vertebrectomy for lung cancer invading the spine. A 49-year-old man was found to have squamous cell carcinoma of the posterior apex of the right lung with an invasion of the body of the second and third thoracic vertebra. After induction chemoradiotherapy, we performed en bloc resection through thoracotomy and posterior median approach. Vertebral stabilization was achieved with a rod fixation and a placement of titanium mesh cage packed with autogenous bone chips.