Sacral tumors

Abstract

Sacral tumors are rare, and while the best long-term prognosis is achieved via total tumor resection, this procedure carries a high risk of motor and sensory deficit, as well as adjacent organ injury. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has been successfully utilized to treat both brain and spinal neoplasms, and has recently been extended to treat sacral tumors. In this chapter, the authors review the principles of treating tumors of the sacrum with the CyberKnife System. Over the past decade, case series have demonstrated successful treatment of sacral tumors utilizing the CyberKnife System, particularly in metastatic tumors with the primary goal of symptom palliation or tumor control. However, few studies have used the CyberKnife System as a primary treatment modality, and no large-scale studies have been done to date. As neurosurgery advances towards less-invasive procedures, SRS will continue to play an important role in the treatment of sacral tumors.