title: Malignant spinal cord compression: NICE guidance, improvements and challenges.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Malignant spinal cord compression (mSCC) is one of the most serious complications of cancer. Recent NICE guidance has aimed to improve patient pathways and outcomes for patients with mSCC. We have examined the current presentations, management and outcomes for patients with mSCC in West London following the implementation of the NICE guidance.
  
  
  METHODS
  The electronic records and clinical notes were reviewed for all patients assessed for confirmed or potential mSCC at Charing Cross Hospital in 2012. Details on the number of referrals, the proportion with confirmed mSCC, the cancer diagnosis, treatment and outcome were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  191 patients were reviewed with 127 (66%) cases of confirmed mSCC. The commonest tumour types were prostate cancer (26 cases), lung cancer (26), breast cancer (21) and kidney cancer (15). 21% of the patients had no previous cancer diagnosis; mSCC was their presenting diagnostic event. Radiotherapy was the predominant management, 24% of the patients had first line surgical treatment. At presentation 62% of patients were either chair or bed bound. Treatment brought important mobility benefits to all patients groups with 20% of the initially chair or bed bound patients leaving the hospital with independent mobility.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Enhanced patients pathways with ease of access, rapid assessment and prompt treatment can improve outcomes. Despite these pathways many patients still present with gross motor impairment and over 20% have no previous diagnosis of cancer. Ongoing work to maintain awareness for patients and primary care of the diagnosis and emergency pathways is essential to optimize outcomes.
authors: Consultant in Medical Oncology, Imperial Hospitals NHS Trust, Charing Cross Hospital, London W6 8RF, UK. philip.savage@bccancer.bc.ca.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Savage
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Sharkey
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Kua
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Schofield
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Richardson
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Panchmatia
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Papanastasopoulos
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Williams
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Falconer
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Power
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Arnold
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Ulbricht
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011379:Prognosis; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000556:secondary; D016896:Treatment Outcome