[Spinal metastases: early recognition and a multidisciplinary approach]

Early diagnosis of spinal metastases is essential. The neurological condition at the time of diagnosis determines functional outcome. Optimal treatment planning requires a multidisciplinary approach by the general practitioner, internist/oncologist/haematologist, radiotherapist, radiologist, neurologist and the spinal surgeon. Radiation therapy is the most common treatment for patients with spinal metastases. However, in specific cases, surgery or chemotherapy should be the primary treatment. We present three patients with spinal metastases: a 55-year-old woman with back pain and a history of breast cancer, a 71-year-old woman with instability of the spine requiring surgical stabilisation and a 68-year-old man with spinal localisation of multiple myeloma treated with systemic therapy. Their cases illustrate the early symptoms of spinal metastases, the role of spinal stability in treatment decisions and the role of systemic therapy in patients with spinal metastases or haematological tumours located in the spine. Recognising early symptoms and appropriate multidisciplinary treatment planning are essential in improving the functional outcome in patients with spinal metastases.