Dallas County Living Well Magazine March/April 2018 | Page 34

Radiofrequency ablation treatment now available for spinal tumors Minimally invasive technology, close to home A treatment system specifically used for treating painful tumors that have spread to the spine from cancer in other parts of the body is now available at TMC. Orthopedic Spine Surgeon and Chief of Staff at Texoma Medical Center Brian Rose, MD, FAAOS, says he has been treating patients for about six months. Brian Rose, MD, FAAOS Orthopedic & Spine Surgeon Michael Molleston, MD Neurosurgeon, TexomaCare TexomaCare Neurosurgeon Michael Molleston, MD, says the treatment serves a dual purpose.“Radiofrequency ablation enables us to treat tumors using a small incision. Once the tumor is destroyed, we strengthen and stabilize the spine by filling in the affected areas with a cement-like material. The procedure usually takes less than one hour and following a short time in recovery, patients can go home.” Dr. Rose states that the person’s pain level is greatly reduced. For older patients with other health conditions, the minimal side effects are a plus. This often allows the patient to proceed with radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy without severe pain. Enhancing treatment options for patients The new treatment is an extension of kyphoplasty, a procedure already performed at Texoma Medical Center for patients with spinal pain due to compression fractures that result from osteoporosis. “Kyphoplasty is a very similar procedure. The difference is that no ablation is needed. The patient’s vertebrae need support, so we fill any fractures or pockets with the cement- like substance, and patients can get relief fairly quickly,” says Dr. Rose. “Many patients who previously rated their pain as a ‘10’ tell us it dropped to a ‘2’.” Dr. Molleston says it’s exciting to be able to offer these solutions. “We are trained to be as minimally invasive as possible, which equates to minimized pain and quicker recovery for the patient. These two procedures fall right in line with that.” ■ Individual results may vary. There are risks associated with any surgical procedure. Talk with your doctor about these risks to find out if minimally invasive surgery is right for you. The neurosurgeons and orthopedic and spine surgeons at TMC specialize in the