Intraspinal neoplasms
Todnem, K.; Strandjord, R.E.; Slettebø, H.; Mørk, S.J.
Tidsskrift for den Norske Laegeforening Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin Ny Raekke 104(23): 1528-1532
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-2001 PMID: 6484906 Document Number: 230034
During 5 yr (1976-1980) 72 patients, comprising 47 with intraspinal metastases, 8 with primary malignant neoplasms and 17 with benign neoplasms, were treated. The figures indicate a yearly incidence of intraspinal neoplasms in this county of 2.5 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants. On admission to the hospital their symptoms and signs were paresis of the limbs (61 patients), disturbed sensation (61 patients), back pain (59 patients) and disturbed bladder function (33 patients). Vertebral destruction was frequently (74%) seen on X-ray examination in patients with metastases. Patients (40) with metastases were operated upon: 43% were able to walk after the operation. By the time of reexamination 33 of 47 patients with metastases were dead after a mean survival of 7 mo. Of the 14 who lived, 3 had resumed their former employment. They were treated for Hodgkin's disease, cancer of the prostate and breast-cancer, respectively. Six of 8 patients with primary malignant neoplasms were dead after a mean survival of 7 mo. from the time of admission. Of the 2 still living 1 was treated for a solitary myeloma and the other for an unclassifiable malignant intraspinal neoplasm. Of the 15 patients, 12 operated upon for a benign intraspinal neoplasm were able to resume their former employment: 8 of these showed no neurological deficit at all.