Spinal cord compression
Prostate cancer can also spread to the spine,
this is called ‘spinal metastases.’ This can
lead to a complication called ‘spinal cord
compression.’ This means that the cancer
is pressing on nerves in the spine. Spinal
cord compression is rare. At the moment,
we do not know how many men with
advanced prostate cancer develop spinal
cord compression. We do know that spinal
cord compression occurs in around one in
ten people (five to ten per cent of people)
with some form of advanced cancer.
Early identification and treatment of
spinal cord compression is important.
Early signs and symptoms include:
• Pain in the lower, middle or
top of your back or neck.
• A ‘narrow band’ of pain in your
arms, legs or body.
• Pain in your back that gets worse when
you cough, sneeze or go to the toilet. It
may also be stopping you from sleeping.
• Weakness or numbness in
your arms and legs.
• Difficulty using your arms or legs.
• Not being able to empty your bladder or bowel.
• Problems controlling your bladder or bowels.
Spinal cord compression is a serious
condition. If you have any of the symptoms
listed above, contact your specialist team
straight away. Do not wait to see if it gets
better and don’t worry if it is an inconvenient
time, such as the weekend. You should have
been given information about who to contact
if you have any symptoms. If you do not have
any particular contact details, go to accident
and emergency at your local hospital and tell
them that you have symptoms of spinal cord
compression. They may investigate further,
for example with a scan of your spine.
The recommended treatments for
spinal cord compression include:
• Radiotherapy.
• Surgery – in some cases this may
help to stabilise the spine.
• Bisphosphonates – medicines that can
be used if normal pain-relieving drugs
are not enough to control the pain.
• Corticosteroids – medicine to reduce
swelling and relieve pressure on the spine.
• Lying flat on your back – your specialist
team may ask you to do this to reduce
the movement of your spine. They will
monitor your condition and check that
it is safe for you to gradually sit up.