Functional outcome and survival in spinal cord injury secondary to neoplasia

A 12-year retrospective view of patients admitted to the rehabilitation unit for care of spinal cord injury (SCI) secondary to neoplasia was conducted. Twenty-seven such patients were identified. One year survival was 58%, and independent functioning achieved in the rehabilitation unit was well-maintained in the survivors. Survival and functional outcome tended to be best in those with less severe neurologic injuries. The study indicated a better 1-year survival in such injuries than has previously been described. Patients with complete SCI had a relatively poor prognosis, especially for independent function. As control of metastatic cancer improves, patients with spinal cord injury caused by neoplasia will probably become a significant part of the SCI population.