Vertebral metastases are a serious complication of cancer that can lead to pain and disability. METASTRA is a research project that is developing new ways to assess the risk of fractures in cancer patients with vertebral metastases.
The METASTRA project is led by the University of Bologna and involves researchers from 15 leading cancer centres across Europe. The project is funded by the European Union's Horizon Europe program.
The METASTRA project is using a variety of methods to assess the risk of fractures in cancer patients with vertebral metastases. These methods include:
- Computed tomography (CT) scans to assess the strength of the vertebrae
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to assess the extent of the cancer
- Biomechanical modeling to simulate the forces on the spine
- Artificial intelligence (AI) to develop new algorithms for predicting fractures
The METASTRA project is a promising new development for cancer patients with vertebral metastases. The project has the potential to improve the lives of these patients by reducing the risk of fractures and improving their quality of life.