12th August 2024

Malignant spinal cord compression (MSCC)

MSCC affects up to 5% of cancer patients and is a medical emergency. Patients may present with pain alone, myelopathic or radiculopathic symptoms. Urgent imaging with MRI is essential. Patients should be initiated on high-dose dexamethasone and analgesia. Patients often receive radiotherapy as treatment and spinal surgery may be considered in some cases.