SPINAL EPIDURAL COMPRESSION IN HEAD AND NECK-CANCER - REPORT OF 5 CASES

Patients with newly diagnosed head and neck cancer (HNC) during a 13-y ear period were retrospectively studied for the development of spinal epidural compression (SEC). Of the 759 patients studied, 5 developed e pidural compression (1%), 4 of whom were relatively young. SEC occurre d simultaneously with HNC in 2 patients and long after the diagnosis o f HNC in 3 individuals. There was no observed tendency to involve a pa rticular segment of the spine. Local control of HNC following definiti ve treatment along with regained ability to walk after palliative radi otherapy in a patient was associated with long-term survival. Recommen dations are made for aggressive treatment of SEC to achieve a satisfac tory outcome.