SPINE UPDATE - PRIMARY BONE-TUMORS OF THE SPINE - TERMINOLOGY AND SURGICAL STAGING

Appropriate application of an oncologic staging system is required to evaluate the relationship among histologic types, management, and outc ome of primary bone tumors. A commonly accepted terminology for surgic al procedures and for definition of tumor extent is needed for surgica l planning and clinical reviews. The principles of the Enneking system for classifying stages of tumors are emphasized and applied to the sp ine using a practical approach for surgical staging.