Spinal Oncology
Spinal oncology sub specialty is an innovative program dedicated to patients with tumors of the spine and spinal cord. The goal of the service is to improve patient care with new treatments that improve quality of life and prevent paralysis and disabling pain for patients with cancer.
Specialized surgical procedures for patients with metastatic spine disease include microsurgery, minimal invasive spine surgery, endoscopy, kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty, and complex spinal reconstruction. Spinal cord tumor surgery is performed with microsurgical technique and sophisticated, intraoperative monitoring of spinal cord function in collaboration with a neurophysiology team. Nonoperative treatment or additional therapies after surgery, such as bisphosphonate treatments, radiation, and chemotherapy, are coordinated at a multidisciplinary treatment review.
Opportunities to participate in research protocols and clinical trials are available. Dr. Meic Schmidt is the Director of Spinal Oncology and can be reached at meic.schmidt@hsc.utah.edu or via his clinical coordinator Holly Hill at holly.hill@hsc.utah.edu.