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- Title
Spinal cord compression in breast cancer.
- Authors
Harrison, Kevin M.; Muss, Hyman B.; Ball, Marshall R.; McWhorter, Michael; Case, Douglas; Harrison, K M; Muss, H B; Ball, M R; McWhorter, M; Case, D
- Abstract
Myelography was performed on 78 patients with breast cancer who had signs or symptoms compatible with spinal cord compression. Of 42 patients (54%) with extradural defects, 21 (50%) had a complete block. All patients with positive myelograms (M+) had a positive bone scan and 41 of 42 (97%) had positive skeletal x-rays. Except for paraplegia, paraparesis, or a sensory level abnormality, signs and symptoms were usually not precise enough to accurately predict patients with cord lesions; however, back pain, paresthesias, and bladder or bowel dysfunction were significantly more common in M+ patients. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein was elevated in almost all M+ patients but also in approximately half of the M- group. Cytology and glucose analysis of CSF were not of value in predicting cord involvement. Response to treatment was better for patients with fewer sites of metastatic disease and a shorter time from diagnosis to treatment. There was no notable difference in survival between M+ and M- patients. Myelography remains the most precise tool for diagnosing spinal cord lesions. Unfortunately, the prognosis of patients with metastatic breast cancer is poor regardless of whether spinal cord compression is present.
- Publication
Cancer (0008543X), 1985, Vol 55, Issue 12, p2839
- ISSN
0008-543X
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1002/1097-0142(19850615)55:12<2839::AID-CNCR2820551222>3.0.CO;2-B