Bronchogenic carcinoma with invasion of the spine. Treatment with combined surgery and perioperative brachytherapy.
Overview
abstract
A 64-year-old man with bronchogenic carcinoma was noted to have invasion of the chest wall and spine at time of diagnosis. Computed tomography and myelography demonstrated destruction of the vertebral body with epidural extension. After preoperative radiotherapy, resection of the involved lung, chest wall, and spine was accomplished. Afterloading catheters were placed for tumor-bed perioperative iridium 192 irradiation. The patient is free to disease two years after treatment. We describe the afterloading perioperative brachytherapy technique used and suggest this multidisciplinary approach for bronchogenic carcinoma invading the spine.
