Spinal Cord Compression
Spinal cord compression (SCC) is a true oncologic emergency as delays in diagnosis can cause severe, irreversible neurologic compromise, decline in functional status, and impaired quality of life. SCC affects roughly 3% to 5% of all patients with cancer. The majority of cases result from spine metastases with extension into the epidural space. It is the second most frequent neurologic complication of cancer after brain metastases. The median overall survival of patients with SCC ranges from 3 to 16 months and most die of systemic tumor progression.