PALLIATION RADIATION THERAPY OF THE SPINAL CORD

Course overview

RADIATION THERAPY IS FREQUENTLY USED IN MEDICINE AS BOTH A CURATIVE AND PALLIATIVE TREATMENT MODALITY. WHEN CANCER METASTASIZES TO THE SPINE, PATIENTS MAY EXPERIENCE DEBILITATING BACK PAIN AS WELL AS NEUROLOGIC DYSFUNCTION WHEN THERE IS COMPRESSION OF THE SPINAL CORD. LOSS OF SENSATION, MUSCLE STRENGTH, AND BOWEL/BLADDER INCONTINENCE ARE ALL CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF SPINAL CORD COMPRESSION. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN MANAGING PATIENTS WHO REQUIRE PALLIATIVE RADIOTHERAPY TO THE SPINE.