title: Prognosis of Patients with Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression from Adrenocortical Carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Adrenocortical cancer is a rare aggressive type of cancer. The prognosis is poor, particularly for metastatic disease. This study focused on metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) from adrenocortical carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data of three patients who received palliative irradiation of MSCC from adrenocortical carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed for motor function, ambulatory status and survival.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One patient died before completion of radiotherapy. The other two patients died two weeks and four weeks, respectively, following irradiation. In these patients, pre-radiotherapy pain scores were 9 and 10 points. In both patients, partial pain relief was achieved (scores of 5 and 4 points). All three patients were non-ambulatory before irradiation. In assessable patients, motor function remained unchanged following irradiation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Palliative irradiation resulted in considerable pain relief, whereas motor function did not improve. Considering the extremely poor survival, supportive care alone may be considered if pain relief is achieved without irradiation.
authors: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Janssen
authors: Department of Hematology & Oncology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
authors: Tobias
authors: T
authors: Bartscht
authors: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany rades.dirk@gmx.net.
authors: Dirk
authors: D
authors: Rades
mesh_terms: D018268:Adrenocortical Carcinoma / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059408:Pain Management; D010166:Palliative Care; D011379:Prognosis; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Adrenocortical carcinoma; best supportive care; metastatic spinal cord compression; palliative irradiation; treatment results