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

We describe the case of a 44-year-old male patient with Pancoast lung cance r invading the vertebrae. Because irradiation did not relieve his symptoms, we conducted tumor resection with posterior rod fixation with segmental su blaminar wiring of the vertebrae. This enabled the patient to walk and to d iscontinue morphine immediately after surgery. Although the tumor recurred within the region of the fixation 4 months after surgery, the patient compl ained of no pain until his death, Although Pancoast lung cancer with extens ive vertebral invasion cannot be cured surgically, posterior rod fixation w ith segmental sublaminar wiring with tumor resection can improve a patient' s quality of life by providing immediate, long-term pain relief.