Spinal cord compression

Prostate cancer cells commonly metastasise to the spinal column. When the spine is very affected by these it can collapse (fracture) this is very painful but in addition it can squash the spinal cord. Alternatively, tumours can grow through the bone and press on the spinal cord. The lower part of the spinal cord carries nerve impulses to the muscles of the legs to enable walking and nerve impulses of sensation from the legs to enable balance which is essential for normal walking and controlled opening of the bladder and bowels. When this area of the spinal cord is compressed symptoms can range from numbness and tingling of the legs and feet and loss of sensation when passing urine to the inability to pass urine and control the bowels, loss of sensation in the legs and paralysis. When the spine is crumbling like this it can sometimes be stabilised by surgery or steroid drugs and emergency radiotherapy, but any loss of sensation or functional ability is unlikely to be recovered unless treatment was instituted very quickly.

Amended April 2008