Outcomes after Surgery for Spinal Metastasis of Colorectal Origin: Case Series

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical management and outcomes of patients who underwent surgical intervention for metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma of the spine. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer metastasis to the spine are relatively rare and represent later manifestations of the disease. Studies and reports on the outcomes of patients who undergo surgery for spinal metastasis of GI origin are scarce. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent surgery for spinal metastasis of colorectal origin was performed. Four patients were identified. Patient characteristics, outcomes, and survival were analyzed. RESULTS: Two patients experienced improvement in pain or myelopathic symptoms. Although the mean survival was 15.3 months, this average included a patient still living at 57.1 months. The mean survival was just 1.3 months for the 3 patients who expired. CONCLUSIONS: In certain cases, symptomatic improvement with prolonged survival is possible after surgery for metastatic spinal lesions of colorectal origin; however, survival is poor in the majority of cases.