Pain-relieving posterior rod fixation with segmental sublaminar wiring for pancoast tumor invading the vertebrae

Abstract

We describe the case of a 44-year-old male patient with Pancoast lung cancer invading the vertebrae. Because irradiation did not relieve his symptoms, we conducted tumor resection with posterior rod fixation with segmental sublaminar wiring of the vertebrae. This enabled the patient to walk and to discontinue morphine immediately after surgery. Although the tumor recurred within the region of the fixation 4 months after surgery, the patient complained of no pain until his death. Although Pancoast lung cancer with extensive vertebral invasion cannot be cured surgically, posterior rod fixation with segmental sublaminar wiring with tumor resection can improve a patient's quality of life by providing immediate, long-term pain relief. © 1999 Foundation for Promotion of Cancer Research.