title: Malignant spinal cord tumors: a review and case presentation.
abstract: Since malignant spinal cord tumors constitute such a small percentage of spinal cord lesions, nurses may be unaware of the challenging needs of this group of patients. Often young and previously healthy, these people face a rapidly progressive and dismal disease course. Presentation and complaints are related to the location and growth rate of the tumor. Treatment is geared to debulking the tumor mass and preventing its spread. This article discusses the pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, medical management and nursing implications for the patient diagnosed with a malignant spinal cord tumor. A case presentation including examples of nursing diagnosis and interventions follows.
authors.affiliation: St. Elizabeth Hospital Medical Center, Critical Care Skills Lab, Youngstown, Ohio 44501.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Raney
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000451:nursing / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000451:nursing; D011247:Pregnancy; D011252:Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / Q000451:nursing / Q000601:surgery*; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D011379:Prognosis; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000601:surgery*