A population-based study of spinal metastatic disease in South-East Norway.
OBJECTIVE
Spinal metastatic disease (SMD) is a serious complication of cancer. To our knowledge, only one population-based study of metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) has been carried out. The purpose of the present study was to describe population-based incidences of SMD that required local treatment, such as radiotherapy, surgery or vertebroplasty, including patients with or without cord compression, and to characterise the neurological status of these patients.


METHODS
During 18 months, all patients with SMD who received local treatment in the South-Eastern Health Region of Norway (population 2.6 million inhabitants) were identified and their medical records were reviewed.


RESULTS
In total, 1002 patients were included; 83% had multiple lesions in the spine; 39% had SMD at the time of the primary cancer diagnosis. At the start of local treatment, 31% had MSCC and 11% were not able to walk. The prevalence of MSCC at the time of cancer diagnosis was 0.36%. The annual incidences per 100,000 inhabitants were 26.0 for SMD and 8.1 for MSCC.


CONCLUSIONS
Population-based incidences of SMD requiring local treatment have been reported for the first time. The prevalence of MSCC at the time of cancer diagnosis was higher than previously reported. A more precise definition of MSCC and more population-based studies are needed to reduce selection bias when comparing different studies.
Department of Oncological Surgery, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway. olga.zaikova@radiumhospitalet.no
O
O
Zaikova
K-E
KE
Giercksky
S D
SD
Fosså
S
S
Kvaløy
T B
TB
Johannesen
S
S
Skjeldal
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D015995:Prevalence; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult