Management of tumors of the thoracolumbar spine

Current improvements in radiologic imaging and surgical instrumentation have greatly expanded the role of surgery in management of tumors of the thoracolumbar junction. For primary malignant tumors, the aim of surgery should be curative, with eradiction of all gross disease. For metastatic tumors, indications for surgery include cancer therapy, stabilization, neurologic palliation, tissue diagnosis, and pain relief. Because the thoracolumbar region is a transitional zone, surgical stabilization may require anterior-posterior approaches and instrumentation.