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Epidural spinal cord compression: a single institution's retrospective experience.
M C Chamberlain1, P A Kormanik
1Kaiser Permanente Medical Group, Department of Neurology, 1011 Baldwin Park Boulevard, Baldwin Park, CA 91706, USA.
Neuro-Oncology
|September 12, 2001
Summary
Nearly one-third of cancer patients with epidural spinal cord compression (ESCC) present with multiple sites. Recurrence rates were similar for single-site and multiple-site ESCC, with overall survival unaffected by disease extent.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Neurology
- Radiology
Background:
- Epidural spinal cord compression (ESCC) is a frequent metastatic complication in cancer patients, affecting approximately 5% of this population.
- ESCC can significantly impact patient prognosis and quality of life, necessitating a thorough understanding of its presentation and recurrence patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively determine the frequency of multiple ESCC sites at initial presentation.
- To evaluate the risk of ESCC recurrence after treatment.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of 108 cancer patients diagnosed with ESCC between August 1986 and January 1997.
- Clinical documentation and MRI of the spine were used to identify the number of ESCC sites.
- Patients received irradiation for all identified ESCC sites.
Main Results:
- 71% of patients (77/108) presented with a single site of ESCC, while 29% (31/108) had multiple sites.
- Recurrence rates were 7% for single-site ESCC and 9% for multiple-site ESCC.
- Median survival was 4.5 months for patients with single- or multiple-site ESCC and 7 months for those with recurrent ESCC.
Conclusions:
- Nearly one-third of patients with suspected ESCC have multiple sites, underscoring the importance of whole-spine MRI.
- Recurrence rates and survival outcomes are comparable between single-site and multiple-site ESCC, and also between initial presentation and recurrent disease.