Spinal cord compression: prognosis and implications for treatment fractionation.
A review of 158 cases of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression referred to three radiotherapy departments shows that the median survival time is less than 3 months, that recovery of motor and sphincter function is uncommon, and that low fraction (2-5) regimens have a similar clinical outcome to more protracted regimens.
Podd
T J
TJ
Radiotherapy Department, Newcastle General Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Carpenter
D S
DS
Baughan
C A
CA
Percival
D
D
Dyson
P
P
D000206:Actuarial Analysis; D000368:Aged; D015174:Epidural Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome