Malignant epidural spinal cord compression is a dreaded complication of malignancy. Fortunately, it does not happen very often. Estimating the prognosis is critical to achieving a balance between effective therapy and the burden of treatment. Treatment can be individualized by reviewing simple prognosis scales. For patients with a poor prognosis, a single fraction of 8 Gy is just as effective as multiple fractions and much more convenient. Surgery and radiation should be considered for patients with a more positive prognosis. For patients not getting surgery, enrollment in clinical trials of single vs. multiple fractions of radiation should be a priority
Keywords : Canada,complications,Dose Fractionation,Radiation,etiology,Humans,Patients,Prognosis,radiotherapy,Spinal Cord,Spinal Cord Compression,Spinal Neoplasms,surgery,therapy,, Optimal,Dose,Fractionation,Schema, pain infusion therapy
Date of Publication : 2011 Jul
Authors : Loblaw DA;Mitera G;
Organisation : Department of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada. andrew.loblaw@sunnybrook.ca
Journal of Publication : J Support Oncol
Pubmed Link : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21809513
The London Spine Unit : Harley Street UK. Specialists in Cutting Edge Technologies for Spinal Surgery