Spinal Cord Metastasis of Adenocarcinoma – Case Report

Czech version

Authors: L. Hrabálek ¹; O. Kalita ¹; J. Ehrmann ²; J. Srovnal ²; M. Hajdúch ³
Authors‘ workplace: Neurochirurgická klinika LF UP a FN Olomouc ¹; Katedra patologie, Centrum molekulární biologie a medicíny LF UP a FN Olomouc ²; Laboratoř experimentální medicíny, Dětská klinika LF UP a FN Olomouc ³
Published in: Cesk Slov Neurol N 2008; 71/104(5): 583-587
Category: Case Report

Poděkování: Molekulární vyšetření nádoru bylo umožněno díky grantové podpoře Ministerstva školství, mládeže a tělovýchovy (LC07017, MSM 6198959216) a Ministerstva průmyslu (MPO 1H-PK/45) České republiky.

Overview

Metastasis of adenocarcinoma to the spinal cord is a rare condition that accounts for 1–3 % of spinal tumours. The authors present the case of a 74-year-old man who suddenly developed quadriparesis and was subsequently diagnosed as a tumour of the cervical spinal cord. The spinal tumour was removed surgically and a metastasis of an adenocarcinoma was shown histologically, probably from the sigmoid colon. Early diagnosis of spinal metastases by means of magnetic resonance and microsurgical resection can improve prognosis and neurological deficit of patients to some extent. The available literature presents a total of 71 cases of surgery, which is recommended in selected cases, in particular for patients with a potentially radio-resistant metastasis. The aim of surgery is the decompression of functional nerve tissue and histological verification of the origin of the tumour. Survival time after such an operation is approximately twice that when therapy does not involve surgery.

Key words:
spinal cord metastasis – adenocarcinoma – spinal cord – operation

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