Spinal cord compression in prostate cancer. A 10-year experience.
Of 478 patients treated at a single institution for prostate cancer, 29 developed spinal cord or cauda equina compression. In 5 patients, spinal cord compression was the first evidence of malignancy. Clinical features were predominantly pain, weakness, sensory and sphincter disturbance. The median duration of symptoms was 2 weeks, although the diagnosis was made rapidly at presentation. Clinical diagnosis correlated well with myelographic findings. Only 1 patient suffered neurological deterioration as a consequence of myelography. The functional outcome was dependent on the ability to walk prior to treatment. The median survival in those who were bedridden following treatment was 6 weeks (range 3.5-13) and 21 weeks (range 7-110+) in those who were ambulant following therapy.
Rosenthal
M A
MA
Urological Cancer Research Unit, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
Rosen
D
D
Raghavan
D
D
Leicester
J
J
Duval
P
P
Besser
M
M
Pearson
B
B
D002420:Cauda Equina; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology