Active clinical trials for "Spinal Cord Neoplasms"

This study will evaluate the local control rate as well as acute and late toxicity rates of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for the treatment of spine metastases and benign spine tumors.

This pilot clinical trial studies beta-tricalcium phosphate bone graft in treating patients undergoing surgery for metastatic spine cancer. A bone graft may help healing and bone growth in patients undergoing surgery for spine cancer

The purpose of study is to compare the effect of coagulation profile in patients receiving intraoperative balanced salt colloid undergoing spinal cord tumor surgery.

Spinal biopsy is important to obtain culture and histopathological diagnosis in spine infection and tumors. To date, there is no prospective randomized study comparing both techniques. Therefore, the aim of this prospective randomized trial was to evaluate the accuracy, safety and diagnostic outcome of both these techniques.A prospective randomized trial was performed in 60 patients divided equally into fluoroscopic and CT guided spinal biopsy groups. Transpedicular approach was done with 8G core biopsy needle. Specimens were sent for histopathological examinations and cultures. Diagnosis were made based on biopsy results, clinical criteria and disease progression during 6 months follow up. Radiation expose to patients and doctors were measured with optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters (OSLDs).

The purpose of this study is to determine if Proton Therapy can provide effective and safe treatment for Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors of the spine and Neurofibromas of the spine.

Radiation therapy is a cornerstone in the treatment of spinal neoplasms as radical resections are often limited anatomically. Frequently, a surgical stabilization with implants is required. However, metallic implants not only make the CT-based planning of a subsequent radiation therapy more difficult, but might also have an uncontrolled dose modulating effect in adjuvant radiotherapy. At the spine, radiation is limited by the effective dose posed to the relatively radiosensitive spinal cord. While metallic implants might result in an inhomogeneous and uncontrollable dose distribution due to the interface effect, the use of new radiolucent implants consisting of carbon/polyether ether ketone (PEEK) might allow a more homogeneous and predictable dose distribution. This study aims to evaluate the potential benefits of the use of carbon/PEEK pedicle screws during adjuvant radiation therapy and follow-up imaging of spinal tumors. 60 patients will randomized 1:1 into either treatment arm (Pedicle System Carbon/PEEK vs. Pedicle System Titanium). The feasibility of planning the radiation therapy will be evaluated. The postoperatively administered total radiation dose is documented. The radiological visualization of the area of interest will be evaluated The surgical outcome is evaluated by fusion rate, implant integrity and anchorage. Patients will be followed up for 12 months according to local standards.

This research study is evaluating suitability of a delayed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in management of spine tumors. Currently the standard of care is obtaining an MRI scan in the early postoperative period (within 72 hours after surgery). The purpose of this study is to see if delayed MRI (2 to 3 weeks after surgery) is similar in quality to the earlier MRI. In this study patients will undergo 2 MRIs after the surgery instead of one MRI. Patients will have one MRI about 3 days after the surgery and one MRI about 2-3 weeks after surgery.

This pilot clinical trial studies robotic-assisted surgery in treating patients with spine tumors. Robotic-assisted surgery is a less invasive type of surgery for spine tumors and may have fewer side effects and improve recovery

The goal of this clinical research study is to learn about the safety and accuracy of using MRI as a guidance system during laser ablation surgery of tumors that have spread to the spine.

Tumors of the spine can be described as primary, meaning that the tumor originated from cells normally found in the spine, or metastatic, cells from another area of the body that have spread to the spine. Metastatic tumors are more common than primary tumors. Tumors of the spine can press against the spinal cord and interfere with information traveling down from the brain to the nerves of the spinal cord. As a result, patients with spinal tumors can suffer from loss of movement and sensation within areas of the body below the tumor. In addition, tumors of the spine are typically painful conditions. Presently, the treatment of choice for spinal tumors is radiation therapy. However, many tumors of the spine become resistant to radiation therapy. In addition, because the spinal cord is often so close to the tumor it can be damaged by the radiation. Absolute (100%) ethanol is commonly known as "alcohol". It is the same kind of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. When pure alcohol is injected directly into a tumor it can destroy cells and blood vessels. Because of this feature, researchers would like to test the effectiveness of alcohol in treating patients with spinal tumors. Researchers believe that intratumoral ethanol injection is a treatment worth studying more closely because it is minimally invasive, has been proven to be an effective treatment for other types of metastatic tumors, can be used repeatedly, and does not interfere with other treatments such as surgery. In addition to testing the effectiveness of intratumoral ethanol injection, this study will attempt to determine the causes of pain associated with spinal tumors.