Klin Onkol 2000; 13(2): 61-62.
Summary: Radiotherapy has its own place in paliative treatment of oncological diseases. Malignant epidural spinal cord compression ranks among the most serious conditions in oncology and requires prompt diagnosis and therapy. The choice of therapeutic modality depends on whether the spinal cord compression is caused by the tumor expansion, vertebral compression or a dislocated vertebral fragment. In case of tumor expansion, radiotherapy represents the method of choice, according to the published data. Radiotherapy is indicated for analgetic purposes, and the effect can be expected in as much as 85% of patients. The sooner the diagnosis is established, the better the response. For patients in relatively good condition with longer survival expectation, the standard fractionation is the most suitable method. For patients with a performance status greater than two and shorter survival expectation, the shorter course with higher individual fractions is the most suitable method.
