Acute lower extremity paralysis following radiation therapy for cervical cancer

Background. Acute lower extremity paralysis secondary to lumbosacral plexop athy is a rare but severe complication that may follow pelvic radiotherapy for cervical cancer. Case. A 49-year-old female with newly diagnosed stage IIIB cervical cancer developed progressive bilateral lower extremity paralysis and pelvic pain o nly 10 weeks following completion of radiation therapy for cervical cancer with no evidence of metastasis or progression of disease. Her bladder and b owel function were not affected. Following extensive workup, the most likel y etiology was presumed radiation-induced lumbosacral plexopathy. Conclusion. Although metastatic carcinoma is more commonly the reason for p rogressive lower extremity weakness with pelvic pain in women with advanced cervical cancer, radiation-induced lumbosacral plexopathy, a rare but deva stating complication, may be the cause. Diagnosis is by exclusion, (C) 1999 Academic Press.