From the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Dr. Abrahm), the University of Kentucky Medical Center (Dr. Patchell), and the University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (Dr. Rades)
Authors disclosures of potential conflicts of interest are found at the end of this article.
Address reprint requests to Janet L. Abrahm, MD, Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney Street, SW 420, Boston, MA 02115; e-mail: jabrahm{at}partners.org
Overview: Each year, 12,700 patients with cancer develop malignant spinal cord compression (MSCC), putting them at risk for pain, paraparesis or paralysis, incontinence, and institutionalization.1 Breast, prostate, and lung cancer each account for 15% to 20% of cases; non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, myeloma, and renal cell carcinoma each account for 5% to 10%, and the rest are primarily attributable to colorectal cancer, cancer of unknown primary, and sarcoma.2,3