[Diagnosis and interdisciplinary therapy of spinal cord compression caused by spinal metastases]

Metastatic tumours of the bone system occur up to 60% in the spinal cord. The epidural spinal cord compression is also found by metastatic tumour, so patients with metastatic disease in this localisation carry a poor prognosis. From 1986 to 1988 35 patients with symptomatic spine metastasis are operated upon. 43% of these patients recover their capability of walking. 90% from the operated collective show a reduction of pain. The primary tumour is first found from cancer of the lung and second from the kidneys. The most common localisation of metastatic tumour is the thoracic spine. The ratio from male to female is 2:1. If the risk of operation and differential therapy is discussed, the decompression and tumour resection will be the first. The concept for postoperative mobilisation and therapy concludes the stabilisation of spinal cord with internal fixation. Treatment of metastatic tumours takes aim at the improvement of life quality.