Malignant spinal cord compression (MSCC) happens when cancer grows in or near the spine and presses on the spinal cord and nerves. It is a rare condition, but it is potentially serious. It is important that you know the symptoms so you can get medical advice as soon as possible.
Any type of cancer can spread to the bones of the spine, but MSCC is more common in people with breast, lung or prostate cancers, lymphoma or myeloma.
Symptoms of MSCC include:
If you notice any of these symptoms, let your doctor know straight away so they can do some tests. The earlier treatment starts, the more likely it is to be effective.
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The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that runs from the brain down the back. It plays an important role in many body functions. These include:
The spinal cord is surrounded by the bones of the spine, which protect it.
Malignant spinal cord compression (MSCC) can happen when cancer grows in the bones of the spine or in the tissues around the spinal cord. The cancer can cause pressure (compression) on the spinal cord.
About 3 to 5 in 100 people with cancer (3 to 5%) develop MSCC. Any type of cancer can spread to the bones of the spine (vertebrae), which may lead to spinal cord compression. But it is more common with certain cancers, including breast, lung and prostate cancer, lymphoma and myeloma.
Depending on which part of the spine is affected, the warning signs could be any one or more of the following:
These symptoms can also be caused by a number of other conditions, but you should always get them checked.
If you develop any of these symptoms, you should get medical advice immediately. Contact someone straight away, even if it is the weekend or a holiday.
You should contact the hospital team where you usually go for cancer treatment and follow-up appointments. If you are unable to get in touch with anyone, go to the nearest Emergency Department (A&E) or contact your GP.
When you speak to a health professional:
Do not wait for further symptoms to develop. The sooner MSCC is diagnosed, the sooner treatment can begin. If left untreated, MSCC will cause permanent problems.
The doctor needs to examine you. If they suspect MSCC, they may tell you to lie flat. The doctor will also arrange an urgent scan of your spine. This is usually a magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI scan), but may be a computerised tomography scan (CT scan) if you can’t have an MRI.
The doctor will usually prescribe some steroids. These help reduce swelling and pressure on the nerves. Tell the doctor if you are diabetic or have had problems with steroids before.
If you have MSCC, the doctor will talk with you about the best treatment options for you. This will depend on:
For the best result, treatment should start as soon as possible.
We have more information on the treatment options for MSCC.
A radiographer explains how a CT scan works, and Jyoti talks about her experience.
A radiographer explains how a CT scan works, and Jyoti talks about her experience.
You might find it helpful to have our side effects booklet to hand. It explains some possible side effects and how they can be managed.
It can help to know more about how treatments work, and why they might cause different side effects. You may have side effects while you're having treatment, and some time after.
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