Abstract
Answer E. Urgent referral for specialist input
The features above are suggestive of metastatic spinal cord compression. Patients will generally present with neurological symptoms including radicular pain, limb weakness, walking difficulties, sensory loss, urinary retention or faecal incontinence. If there are features of metastatic spinal cord compression, seek immediate specialist advice. Local pathways may vary but possible contact points include the metastatic spinal cord compression coordinator and the patient’s oncologist or palliative care specialist. Acute hospital admission may also be an appropriate option.
InnovAiT article: Oncology emergencies. DOI: