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Metatastic Spinal Cord Compression

Introduction

• Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression is most commonly seen in patients with a known or suspected diagnosis of cancer that have vertebral bone metastases e.g. breast, myeloma, prostate, lung, kidney.
• Any patient with cancer may develop spinal cord compression.
• This is a catastrophic event leading to paraplegia, paraparesis and incontinence.If treated early, these problems can be prevented or reversed.
• It is a clinical diagnosis requiring immediate discussion with the local cancer team. (Oncologist or Haematologist if myeloma or lymphoma diagnosis) to plan investigations.
• Subsequent discussion with the Orthopaedic/ Neurosurgical team may be required to decide the most appropriate treatment. 
• If a cancer patient presents to the orthopaedic team, dialogue with the cancer clinician is recommended. 

Please scroll through oncological emergencies pdf below for relevant information on spinal cord compression