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:
- back or neck pain
- numbness or pins and needles in your toes, fingers or buttocks
- feeling unsteady on your feet
- bladder or bowel problems.
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.