[Spinal cord compression complicating gynecological malignancy--report of four cases]

Five episodes of spinal cord compression (SCC) in four patients with gynecological malignancy are described. Two patients had a recurrent cervical cancer, one had a recurrent uterine sarcoma, and one had a primary ovarian cancer. All presented with back pain, and the site of compression was at the thoracic spine. Three patient were treated with radiotherapy, and one underwent decompression laminectomy followed by radiotherapy. One patient improved, but the other three did not. SCC is an oncologic emergency, which should be borne in mind by all physicians who take care of cancer patients.