Collaboration in Cancer Care

In this episode, Dr. Jason Levy and Dr. Amir Lavaf join Dr. Michael Barraza to discuss their multidisciplinary approach to treating spinal metastases. We examine the collaborative efforts between IR and radiation oncologists, and we break down the indications for treating spinal metastases. We discuss pain control and local control rates, and how doctors are working to improve them. Dr. Levy and Dr. Lavaf tell us why they are able to get better survival numbers when they approach the primary and metastatic disease at the same time. We explain how to work with tumor boards and different groups of doctors to make spinal metastases treatment easier. We discuss how to reduce risk of delayed skeletal events and radiation failure after spinal metastases treatment. We go over some of the challenges of working with the tumor board, and why it is important to develop relationships with medical oncologists and the importance of continuing systemic therapies. RESOURCES MENTIONED: BackTable Podcast Episode 68: RF Ablation Therapy for Bone Metastases https://www.backtable.com/podcast/68/rf-ablation-therapy-for-bone-metastases