HTA Details
Vertebral Augmentation Involving Vertebroplasty or Kyphoplasty for Cancer-Related Vertebral Compression Fractures
- Publication date
-
2016-May-01
- Status
- Final
- Topic Area
- Cancer
- Recommendation
-
Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee Recommendations:
- The Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee recommends that vertebral augmentation (either vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty) be publicly funded and made accessible for appropriately selected cancer patients with vertebral compression fractures.
- The Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee recommends that Cancer Care Ontario provide the provincial oversight for vertebral augmentation services for cancer patients and work with clinical experts to determine the criteria needed for patient selection for kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty.
- Ministry Response
-
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has accepted this recommendation.
-
To read the full OHTAC Recommendation Report for this topic, contact our Health Innovation team using the contact form to request a digital copy.
Cancer can start in one part of the body and spread to other regions, causing significant pain and reducing a patient’s ability to walk or carry out everyday activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. When cancer spreads to or occurs in a bone of the spine (a vertebral bone), the cancer can weaken and break this bone. These fractures, if left untreated, can negatively affect quality of life.
Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are two procedures that stabilize a spinal fracture. Both involve the injection of bone cement into the broken vertebral bone. With kyphoplasty, a small balloon is first inserted into the vertebral bone to restore height and create a space to inject the cement.
Last Updated: February 24, 2026
