Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty

Some people with certain types of cancer may experience a collapsed bone in the spine. This is called a vertebral compression fracture. Vertebral compression fractures are a serious problem that can affect people with:

• multiple myeloma
• cancers such as breast, prostate or lung, which has spread to the spine (called spinal metastasis)
• bone loss caused by specific cancer treatment protocols

Two treatment options exist for people with vertebral compression fractures:

• Vertebroplasty – Bone cement is injected through a needle into the fractured bone.
• Kyphoplasty – A balloon is first inserted through a needle into the fractured bone. As the balloon expands, a space is created inside the bone. Then, bone cement is injected into the space. Using the balloon helps to control the cement injection and restores height to the collapsed bone.