Extension of cervical carcinoma to lumbar spine

Carcinoma of the cervix is a lesion in which involvement of the spinal column is not generally considered. Two recent cases attest to the fact that this lesion may compress the lumbar vertebrae and cause paralysis, due to aorta iliac node metastases. Laminectomy with decompression, followed by radiation therapy, only temporarily alters the course of the lesion. With present technics the portals of irradiation are inadequate to prevent this lesion.