Herniated lumbar disc disease in patients with malignancy

Six patients with cancer presented with signs and symptoms of a lumbar herniated disc syndrome due to a herniated lumbar disc. The differential diagnosis and literature are reviewed. In four of the six, the patients' complaints were attributed to the malignancy, with delay in diagnosis and institution of appropriate therapy. In two of the patients, treatment was administered for presumed spinal metastasis with radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy with castration before the correct diagnosis was made. Surgery was performed on all six patients confirming the diagnosis of a herniated lumbar disc at the involved level and relieving the patients' pain.