Spine Tumor Surgery & Spinal Oncology in Naples, FL
Specialized Care for Spinal Tumors & Metastatic Spine Disease
Apex Brain & Spine evaluates and treats primary spinal tumors and spinal metastases. Tumors affecting the spine can place pressure on the spinal cord or nerves, weaken the vertebrae, cause pain, and affect mobility or neurologic function.
Our board-certified, fellowship-trained neurosurgeons develop individualized treatment plans based on the tumor type, location, symptoms, imaging findings, spinal stability, neurologic function, overall health, and broader cancer-treatment plan.
Spinal Tumors We Treat
The spine can be affected by tumors that begin in the spine or spinal cord, as well as cancer that has spread to the spine from another part of the body.
Primary spinal tumors can include tumors such as meningioma and schwannoma. Metastatic spinal tumors occur when cancer from another area of the body spreads to the vertebrae, spinal cord, or surrounding structures.
Depending on the tumor’s location and behavior, it can affect the spinal cord, nerve roots, spinal stability, alignment, and overall function.
Surgery may be considered for selected patients based on the tumor type, spinal cord or nerve compression, pain, spinal stability, and overall treatment goals.
When Surgery May Be Considered
Spine tumor surgery may be considered when a tumor causes or is likely to cause nerve compression, spinal cord compression, spinal instability, uncontrolled pain, pathologic fracture, or another problem that requires surgical management.
The goals of surgery may include:
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Relieving pressure on the spinal cord or nerves
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Stabilizing a weakened or unstable section of the spine
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Treating a pathologic fracture
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Obtaining tissue for diagnosis
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Removing all or part of a tumor when appropriate
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Creating space for radiation treatment
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Preserving or improving neurologic function
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Reducing pain related to spinal tumor involvement
Not every spinal tumor requires surgery. For some patients, radiation therapy, systemic cancer treatment, monitoring, pain management, or another approach may be more appropriate.
Treatment decisions for spinal metastatic disease commonly involve evaluation of neurologic compression, tumor behavior, spinal stability, overall health, and the broader cancer-treatment plan. Multidisciplinary care can include neurosurgery, radiation oncology, medical oncology, radiology, and rehabilitation specialists.
Individualized Surgical Planning
Treatment planning for spinal tumors is highly individualized. Before recommending surgery, we review:
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The type and location of the tumor
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Whether the tumor is primary or metastatic
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Symptoms and neurologic examination findings
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MRI, CT, X-ray, or other relevant imaging
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The effect on the spinal cord, nerves, and spinal stability
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Existing or planned medical and radiation-oncology treatment
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Overall health, prior procedures, and treatment goals
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The potential benefits, risks, and alternatives of surgery
Surgical treatment may involve tumor removal, decompression of the spinal cord or nerves, stabilization with spinal instrumentation, image-guided navigation, robotic technology when clinically appropriate, or another specialized technique.
Multidisciplinary Spinal Oncology Care
Spinal tumors often require coordination between multiple specialists. Apex Brain & Spine works closely with radiation oncology and other cancer specialists in Naples when appropriate to help coordinate care.
Your treatment plan may involve surgery, radiation therapy, systemic cancer treatment, pain management, rehabilitation, or a combination of approaches. The timing and role of each treatment are based on your diagnosis and individual needs.
Advanced Surgical Technology
Apex Brain & Spine uses advanced surgical planning and technology when clinically appropriate for complex spine cases.
Depending on your treatment plan, this may include:
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Minimally invasive surgical techniques
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Intraoperative navigation
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Robotic-assisted spine surgery
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Augmented reality planning
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Carbon-fiber instrumentation when appropriate
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Spinal decompression and stabilization techniques
These tools are selected based on the needs of the procedure and are not required for every spinal tumor surgery.
Spine Oncology Expertise
Amanda Sacino, MD, PhD is a fellowship-trained neurosurgeon with specialized training in spine oncology, degenerative spine conditions, minimally invasive spine surgery, and robotic spine surgery.
Dr. Sacino has published and presented research on spinal-tumor surgery, spinal metastases, intraoperative navigation, robotic technology, targeted radiation, sacral tumors, and advanced surgical techniques.
Watch Dr. Sacino’s Grand Rounds on the latest treatments for brain and spine tumors.
See Dr. Sacino’s study on surgical management of spinal tumors.
See Dr. Sacino’s study on use of the spine robot for spinal metastases.
See Dr. Sacino’s report on intraoperative navigation for less invasive surgical management of spine tumors.
See Dr. Sacino’s comprehensive review on targeted radiation for spinal metastatic tumors.
See Dr. Sacino’s report on surgical management of sacral tumors.
See a book chapter by Dr. Sacino on surgical management.
See Dr. Sacino’s lecture at Seattle Science Foundation on robotics and augmented reality for spine tumor surgery.
See Dr. Sacino’s lecture at Seattle Science Foundation on carbon-fiber technology for spine instrumentation, tumor surveillance, and radiation delivery.
Request a Spine Tumor Consultation
If you have been diagnosed with a spinal tumor, spinal metastasis, or another cancer-related spine condition, Apex Brain & Spine can help you understand your neurosurgical treatment options.