FREQUENCY OF METASTATIC SPINAL CORD COMPRESSION IN PATIENTS WITH BREAST CARCINOMA PRESENTING TO A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the frequency of patients with breast cancer who are diagnosed with metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) presenting to a tertiary care facility

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Study Setting and Duration: Department of Medicine, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan, from 05 December 2024 to 05 June 2025

Methodology: 100 females aged 25 to 65 years diagnosed with breast cancer were included using non-probability consecutive sampling. Cancer stages were identified via CT scans (by two board-certified radiologists), while participants with suspected MSCC received a spinal MRI. Analysis of data was done using SPSS 25. BMI was presented as mean ± standard deviation, and age and disease duration as median (IQR), while qualitative variables were presented as the frequency(%). The association between each effect modifier and MSCC was determined using the chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests. All probability values of < 0.05 were considered significant.

Results: The median age was 48(20) years, and the median disease duration was 17.0 (10.75). Metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) was found in 20%. There was a statistically significant association between MSCC and tumor laterality (p = 0.008); there was a higher incidence of MSCC associated with right-sided breast cancer. Patients with MSCC have had significantly longer disease duration than those without MSCC (30 vs. 15.5 months; p < 0.001). The majority of participants presented with advanced-stage disease (III = 46%; IV = 22%).

Conclusion: MSCC is a frequent complication of breast cancer, especially in patients with long-standing disease duration, as well as those with tumors on the right side of the breast.