Loyola Testing the Use of IORT and Kyphoplasty to Relieve Pain of Cancer That's Spread to Spine
December 29, 2014Categories: cancer, Imaging & Radiology, Spine
Tags: Cancer, Imaging Radiology, Spine
MAYWOOD, IL – When metastatic cancer spreads to the spine, it can cause spinal fractures, severe pain and impaired mobility. Loyola University Medical Center has launched the first clinical trial in the United States of a minimally invasive treatment designed to help relieve pain, heal spinal fractures and prevent new fractures.
In metastatic cancer, the most common site the cancer spreads to are the bones, and the spine is the most common site of bone metastases. A tumor can weaken a vertebra, causing it to collapse on itself.
Loyola will test a new combination treatment that delivers radiation directly to the tumor and increases support of the spine.
First, an interventional radiologist makes a small incision into the spine and inserts a spinal applicator needle to deliver radiation directly to the tumor. This is called intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT). Because it is more precise than standard external beam radiation, intraoperative radiotherapy can deliver a higher dose of radiation, while minimizing adverse effects to normal tissue.
The second half of the operation is a procedure called a kyphoplasty. A catheter is inserted through the incision. A balloon at the tip of the catheter is inflated to increase the height of the collapsed vertebra and a cementlike material then is injected into the radiated area to help stabilize the spine.
The purpose of the Phase 1 study is to learn about both the good and bad effects of combining intraoperative radiotherapy and kyphoplasty. Researchers will compare the pain levels and use of pain medications before and after the procedure. They also will monitor quality-of-life issues, the effect of the procedure on the tumor and any complications.
The study is titled “Combining Intraoperative Radiotherapy with Kyphoplasty for Treatment of Spinal Metastases (Kypho-IORT )”. It is sponsored by the departments of radiation oncology and radiology of Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.
The principal investigator is William Small Jr., MD, chair of the department of radiation oncology. Co-investigators are Angelo Malamis, MD; Abhishek Solanki, MD; Karan Shah, MD; and Janushi Dalal, MD.
To qualify for the trial, a patient must meet several criteria, including being 50 or older and having metastatic cancer that has spread from a solid tumor to the spine. For more information, call 708-216-2568.
About Loyola Medicine
Loyola Medicine, a member of Trinity Health, is a nationally ranked academic, quaternary care system based in Chicago's western suburbs. The three-hospital system includes Loyola University Medical Center (LUMC), Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, MacNeal Hospital, as well as convenient locations offering primary care, specialty care and immediate care services from nearly 2,000 physicians throughout Cook, Will and DuPage counties. LUMC is a 547-licensed-bed hospital in Maywood that includes the William G. and Mary A. Ryan Center for Heart & Vascular Medicine, the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, the John L. Keeley, MD, Emergency Department, a Level 1 trauma center, Illinois's largest burn center, the Nancy W. Knowles Orthopaedic Institute, a certified comprehensive stroke center, transplant center and a children’s hospital. Having delivered compassionate care for over 50 years, Loyola also trains the next generation of caregivers through its academic affiliation with Loyola University Chicago’s Stritch School of Medicine and Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing.
Established in 1961, Gottlieb Memorial Hospital is a 247-licensed-bed community hospital in Melrose Park that includes the Judd A. Weinberg Emergency Department, the Loyola Center for Metabolic Surgery and Bariatric Care, Loyola Cancer Care & Research at the Marjorie G. Weinberg Cancer Center, acute rehabilitation, a transitional care center, childcare center and fitness center. MacNeal Hospital is a 374-licensed-bed teaching hospital in Berwyn with advanced medical, surgical and psychiatric services and a 68-bed behavioral health program.
For more information, visit loyolamedicine.org. You can also follow Loyola Medicine on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or X (formerly known as Twitter).
About Trinity Health
Trinity Health is one of the largest not-for-profit, faith-based health care systems in the nation. It is a family of 127,000 colleagues and more than 38,300 physicians and clinicians caring for diverse communities across 26 states. Nationally recognized for care and experience, the Trinity Health system includes 93 hospitals, 107 continuing care locations, the second largest PACE program in the country, 142 urgent care locations and many other health and well-being services. In fiscal year 2024, the Livonia, Michigan-based health system invested $1.3 billion in its communities in the form of charity care and other community benefit programs. For more information, visit us at www.trinity-health.org, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X (formerly known as Twitter).