title: Metastatic epidural spinal cord compression.
abstract: Metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC) occurs when cancer metastasises to the spine or epidural space and causes secondary compression of the spinal cord. MESCC is a common complication of malignancy that affects almost 5% of patients with cancer. The most common symptom is back pain. MESCC is a medical emergency that needs rapid diagnosis and treatment if permanent paralysis is to be prevented: the diagnosis of MESCC is best made with MRI; and corticosteroids, radiation therapy, and surgery are all established treatments. Future research will focus on prevention, improving detection, and the development of new treatments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, KY 40536, USA.
authors.forename: John S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Cole
authors.forename: Roy A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Patchell
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009493:Neurosurgery; D011379:Prognosis; D011878:Radiotherapy; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000556:secondary*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones