iSMT

This algorithm is presented to aid the clinician in the frequent scenario of facing
an oncological patient with metastases to the spine.
Answering simple YES or NO questions, through a multidisciplinary approach,
the treatment recommendation can be either surgical or not.
This flowchart is designed for the surgeon who needs to involve his non-surgical
colleagues (anesthesiologist, medical oncologist, radiotherapist, general practitioner)
in the decision-making process of any given patient.
It is initially based on the experience collected at the Division of Oncologic Surgery
at the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute (Bologna, Italy), and has undergone retrospective and prospective
clinical trials in order to validate its efficacy; there are also multicentric trials in progress
to further validate its reproducibility and eventually improve it. In any case, we think it is
a tool of enormous value in the management of this highly challenging group of patients.
Using the "i" button it is possible to get more information (as drawings, bibliographies, web-links, video)
related to the topic displayed on the vertebral body screen above.
Behind the development of this flowchart, there is also the work of the non-profit foundation
Probone Italia, aimed at the assistance of patients affected by this severe condition.