Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 3, 2026
09:24
A Novel Vertebral Stabilization Method for Producing Contusive Spinal Cord Injury
Published on: January 5, 2015
A population-based study of malignant spinal cord compression in Ontario
D A Loblaw1, N J Laperriere, W J Mackillop
1Division of Cancer Care and Epidemiology, Queen's Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, Kingston Regional Cancer Centre and Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
Clinical Oncology (Royal College of Radiologists (Great Britain))
|July 9, 2003
Summary
Malignant spinal cord compression (MSCC) affects 2.5% of cancer patients near death, with incidence varying widely by cancer type. Treatments included radiotherapy or surgery, and MSCC doubled hospitalization time.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Epidemiology
- Palliative Care
Background:
- Malignant spinal cord compression (MSCC) is a known cancer complication.
- The incidence of MSCC has not been previously established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of MSCC.
- To describe MSCC management and outcomes in Ontario, Canada.
Main Methods:
- Population-based cohort study.
- Linked electronic health records and cancer registry data.
- Analyzed 121,435 cancer deaths between 1990-1995.
Main Results:
- Cumulative incidence of MSCC in the last 5 years of life was 2.5%, varying from 0.2% (pancreatic cancer) to 7.9% (myeloma).
- Primary treatments included radiotherapy (60.2%) and surgery (16.1%).
- Median survival post-MSCC was 2.9 months, doubling in-hospital time.
Conclusions:
- MSCC is a common complication in patients with advanced cancer.
- Significant variation in MSCC incidence exists across different cancer types.
