Interventional pain expert explains latest treatments for cancer and bone pain.

Total Health | September 30th, 2009

The options for managing tumourAn abnormal swelling. metastasesSecondary tumours’ that result from the spread of a malignant tumour to other parts of the body. and bone pain have traditionally been limited. Over the past few years there have been considerable advances in techniques to target treatment exclusively at the tumour in order to reduce the side effects and complications caused by chemotherapyThe use of chemical substances to treat disease, particularly cancer., radiotherapyThe treatment of disease using radiation., and analgesia.

Bone metastases are rarely treated surgically because surgery is rarely curative; it can also be difficult to gain surgical access to the tumour without destroying too much healthy tissueA group of cells with a similar structure and a specialised function.. In addition adequate surgical excisionThe removal of a piece of tissue or an organ from the body. often excessively weakens the affected bone thus increasing the risk of fracture.

While open surgery is playing a smaller role in the management of metastatic deposits there have been rapid advances in percutaneous techniques guided by new imaging technologies. In his article for totalhealth, London Pain Specialist Nigel Kellow explains some of the most up to date options for both tumour destruction and spine stablisation.

Dr Kellow also answers the question most patients will have: “Am I a suitable candidate for these treatments”?

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Expert articles

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