Spinal cord compression secondary to metastatic invasion of breast phyllodes tumour

Abstract

Spinal cord compression syndrome is one of the most frequent oncologic emergencies, in which early diagnosis and treatment are key factors to prevent severe and irreversible neurological damage. It is estimated to have a prevalence of 3.4% in oncologic patients and is a source of significant morbidity in cancer patients. Spinal cord infiltration with hematogenous dissemination is the most common cause of spinal cord compression. In the present case, we present a clinical case of spinal cord compression syndrome secondary to a phyllodes tumour of the breast who was admitted to the emergency for lumbar pain with red flags and who suffered a spinal cord infarction with irreversible sequelae and poor prognosis.

Keywords

• spinal cord compression
• paralysis vertebral
• metastasis
• oncologic emergency
• vertebral fracture