MiniMal invasive approaChes in spinal tuMors

Developments in diagnostic imaging and systemic therapies for oncologic diseases have brought large numbers of spinal tumors to our attention. Following this process, there has been a great evolution in minimally invasive surgical techniques for the spinal surgery. By combining modern medical technology to traditional spinal approaches minimally invasive spinal approaches have been popular.76 Standard treatment options for spinal tumors include radiotherapy, radionuclide therapy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy together, hormonal therapy or radiotherapy after surgical approaches including decompression and stabilization.32,35 Most of the patients with spinal metastases are debilitated and under high risk of major surgical morbidity and mortality. Limited life expectancies, high surgical complication rates and decrease in quality of life are most unacceptable.32,93,95 Because of these reasons, minimally invasive techniques have been explored and used for the treatment of spinal tumors.