RGCIRC Team

Brain Cancer

7 October, 2022

METASTATIC SPINE DISEASE: IS IT THE END OF ROAD OR MERELY A SPEED BUMP?

Imagine a life where the fright of getting paralyzed impedes you from playing with your grandchild.  A 70-year-old man stepped onto the premises of RGCIRC with neck pain owing to metastasis from lung cancer.  Imaging revealed a C4 vertebral pathological compression fracture with complete collapse and a posterior bulge indenting the cord with signal changes inside it.

Such instability of the cervical spine could have led to quadriplegia following trivial trauma. With the other modalities of palliative therapies not being able to address the issue, the onus was on the neuro-oncosurgery team to come up with an acceptable solution. So the goal of the surgical intervention was to approach the target site through a very narrow anatomic corridor in between the vital structures like carotid artery, jugular vein, trachea, and esophagus, excise the diseased vertebral component, decompress the cord and stabilize the spinal segment. Accordingly, C4 corpectomy, followed by mesh cage and anterior plating was done.  A conscious attempt was made to hide the skin incision in one of the skin creases.

The intraoperative and postoperative periods were uneventful. Being pain-free he could ambulate on the first postoperative day. A week later he turned up in the neurosurgery OPD with his grandson, walking fearlessly and more importantly ready to restart the systemic therapy for the primary disease.

A heartfelt message penned down by the patient’s son is a testimony to this true story.

“…..my father had a C4 collapse and we were worried that it might paralyze him one day. The neurosurgery team was quick to plan an optimal surgical approach and meticulously addressed all our worries. The surgery went fine and our family is happy that he is back to what he was 1 month back, especially playing with his grandson….”

Having a metastatic disease is like a death sentence, but it’s the right of every patient to live whatever life he has, to the best of his functional abilities and with utmost dignity. The Brain and spine oncosurgery team at RGCIRC is dedicated to providing such patients with a ray of hope in the twilight phase of their lives.

Dr. (Prof.) I. C. Premsagar
Sr. Consultant & Chief of Neuro & Spine Oncology Services
RGCIRC, Delhi

Related Articles

featured

Brain Cancer

featured

Brain Cancer

featured

Brain Cancer

Opportunity to Help

DONATE FOR CANCER CARE

As a society, RGCIRC is looking forward to get support from generous people

Read More
DONATE BLOOD

It is a fact that there are absolutely no substitutes to replace human bloo...

Read More
DONATE TIME (VOLUNTEER)

Volunteers play an important role in today’s hospitals. They help the hos...

Read More

Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre is today counted amongst Asia’s premier exclusive cancer centres that offer unique advantage of cutting edge technology, put to use by renowned super specialists. This potent combination of man and machine ensures world-class cancer care to not only patients from India, but also from the neighboring SAARC countries and others.

Sir Chotu Ram Marg, Sector - 5, Rohini Industrial Area, Rohini, New Delhi - 110085, India | +91-11-47022222
OPD Timings: 09:00 am to 05:00 pm (All weekdays except Sunday and Holiday)
Emergency Services: 24x7 All weekdays

Squadron Leader Mahendra Kumar Jain Marg, Block K, Niti Bagh, New Delhi - 110049 | +91-11-45822222
OPD Timings: 09:00 am to 05:00 pm (All Weekdays except Sunday and Holiday)
Emergency Services: 24x7 All Weekdays

Subscribe Today For Our Healthy Tips Newsletter
Loading