Outcome of malignant spinal cord compression at a cancer center: Implications for palliative care services

One hundred sixty-six patients presented to a cancer center with malignant spinal cord compression (SCC) proven by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). T he majority of patients (92%) were treated with radiotherapy. Changes in fu nctional capability over time were assessed using performance (PS) and neur ological status (NS). Over the course of treatment, there was no significan t change in PS or NS. The median survival from confirmation of SCC was 82 d ays (range 1-1349 days). Survival was significantly better for those presen ting with good functional status. One hundred thirteen patients (68%) were discharged from hospital; 88 (78%) were discharged home, 11% were sent to a nother hospital, 4% were transferred to a rehabilitation unit, and 5% went to a hospice. Fifty-three patients (32%) died before discharge. The confirm ation that PS and NS have prognostic significance in the functional outcome of patients with SCC may prove helpful in decisions regarding care plannin g for individual patients with SCC who are discharged from hospital. J Pain Symptom Manage 2000;19:257-264. (C) U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee, 200 0.