Metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC)

What is metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC)?

MSCC happens when cancer cells that have spread from the prostate grow in or near to the spine and press on the spinal cord. 

The spinal cord is a long, thin bundle of nerves and other cells. It runs from your brain down through your spine. The nerves carry messages between your brain and all parts of the body. These messages allow you to move and to feel things like heat, cold, touch or pain. They also help control body temperature and how your internal organs work.

Cancer cells pressing on the spinal cord can cause problems with how these messages are carried. This can cause a range of symptoms that can get worse if left untreated. For example, you may be less able to walk and move around.

At its worst, MSCC can cause nerve damage and even paralysis. This could mean you can’t walk or use your arms or legs normally. Remember, there are treatments available and getting treatment straight away can lower the risk of this happening, or of it being permanent.

Download Metastatic spinal cord compression fact sheet

What is my risk of developing MSCC?

MSCC isn’t common, about 4 in 100 people with prostate cancer develop it. But you need to be aware of the risk if your prostate cancer has spread to your bones or has a high risk of spreading to your bones. Your risk of MSCC is highest if your prostate cancer has already spread to your spine. 

Speak to your doctor or nurse for more information about your risk of MSCC. 

What symptoms do I need to watch out for?

MSCC can cause any of the following symptoms. 

• Pain or soreness in your lower, middle or upper back or neck. The pain might be severe or get worse over time. It might get worse when you cough, sneeze, lift or strain, go to the toilet, or lie down. It may also get worse when you are sitting, standing or moving. It may wake you at night or stop you from sleeping. 
• Tenderness or pain in your spine when touched. 
• Muscle pain or cramping when you walk or exercise.  
• A narrow band of pain around your chest or abdomen (stomach area) that can move towards your back, buttocks or legs. 
• Pain that moves down your arms or legs.
• Weakness or loss of control of your arms or legs, or difficulty standing or walking. You might feel unsteady on your feet or feel as if your legs are giving way. Some people say they feel clumsy.
• Numbness or tingling (pins and needles) in your legs, arms, fingers, toes, buttocks, stomach area or chest that doesn’t go away.
• Problems controlling your bladder or bowel. You might not be able to empty your bladder or bowel, or you might have no control over emptying them. 

These symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, but it's still important to get medical advice straight away in case you do have MSCC. 

What should I do if I get symptoms?

If you get any of the symptoms listed above, you should get medical advice straight away. Don’t wait to see if your symptoms get better and don’t worry if you think it’s an inconvenient time, such as the evening or weekend. Don’t delay – the earlier MSCC is diagnosed, the sooner treatment can be started. 

Ask your doctor or nurse to write down who you should contact during the day, at night, and at the weekend. 

If you don’t have details of who to contact, or your doctor or nurse isn’t available, go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department.

MSCC can be hard to diagnose, especially if you have other health problems. It can sometimes be mistaken for general back pain, or bone pain caused by your cancer. So it’s important to tell healthcare professionals such as the A&E staff or paramedics that you have prostate cancer and symptoms of spinal cord compression. Not everyone will be familiar with MSCC, so it might be a good idea to show them this web page, or take our fact sheet on metastatic spinal cord compression or other information about MSCC with you.

How is MSCC diagnosed?

If your doctor thinks you may have MSCC, you will need to have a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to look at your spine and see if there are any tumours pressing on the spinal cord. If you can’t have an MRI scan, you may have a computerised tomography (CT) scan instead.

What will happen if my doctor thinks I have MSCC?

While you are waiting for a diagnosis, there are a number of things that can be done to make you more comfortable and to help protect your spinal cord from further harm.

Pain relief

There are a number of ways to treat the pain caused by MSCC and by the cancer in other parts of your body, including pain-relieving drugs. Read more about ways to manage pain caused by advanced prostate cancer.

A steroid called dexamethasone

This works quickly to reduce swelling and relieve pressure on the spinal cord. You’ll be given a daily dose as tablets or a drip into a vein in your arm. The dose will be gradually reduced and stopped if your symptoms improve or you start another treatment. You might also be given tablets to help prevent the steroids irritating your stomach.

Bed rest

You might be asked to lie flat on your back while you’re waiting for a diagnosis. This helps keep your spine still and can reduce the risk of further damage to your spinal cord. Lying down will also stop you from falling over if you’re finding it difficult to stand up or walk. You might be given support stockings to wear while you’re lying in bed, to help prevent blood clots. Your doctor or nurse will monitor your condition and let you know when it’s safe for you to gradually sit up.

How is MSCC treated?

If you are diagnosed with MSCC, you should start treatment as soon as possible. Your doctor will explain the different treatment options to help you decide what’s right for you. They will consider your wishes as far as possible. They will also support you and your family after treatment to help you recover from MSCC.

There are two main treatments available – you may be offered one of these, or your doctor may suggest having both.

Radiotherapy

This aims to shrink the cancer cells that are pressing on your spinal cord. It can also help to relieve the pain. High-energy X-ray beams are directed at the affected area from outside the body. This is known as external beam radiotherapy. You may have one or more treatment sessions – your medical team will discuss this with you. Read more about radiotherapy for advanced prostate cancer.

Surgery

Surgery is sometimes used to treat MSCC. Your doctor will discuss this with you if it’s suitable for you. It usually aims to reduce the pressure on your spinal cord and makes your spine more stable. Surgery is sometimes done at a specialist spinal unit. You might be given radiotherapy once you’ve recovered from surgery, to shrink any areas of cancer that might be left in the spine.

Other treatments

If radiotherapy or surgery aren’t suitable for you, or if your spine still needs support after treatment, you may be offered a support brace or collar. This fits around your back or neck and helps to support your spine. It can also help with pain. Speak to your doctor or nurse about whether a support brace or collar might be helpful for you.

What happens after treatment?

MSCC can affect men in different ways. Getting treatment early can reduce the risk of long-term problems, but for some men it can take weeks or months to recover. Sometimes the effects can last longer or are permanent. Your doctor or nurse at the hospital will make sure you get the support you need.

If you’re less able to walk and move around because of your MSCC, a physiotherapist can show you exercises that can help. An occupational therapist (OT) can make sure you have the right equipment in your house so that you’re comfortable and can move about more easily. Your doctor will also look at the treatments you are having for your prostate cancer, to see if they need changing.

If you need help to support you living at home, speak to your doctor or ask your local council. The council’s social services may be able to provide a range of support services, such as help with house work, shopping and getting washed and dressed. 

Read about treatments that can help control the growth of prostate cancer or ways to manage symptoms of advanced prostate cancer.

What is my outlook?

Some men with MSCC want to know if it will affect how long they will live. This is sometimes called your outlook or prognosis.

If you have MSCC, this means your cancer is advanced and cannot be cured. MSCC itself doesn’t affect how long you will live. But it could affect your ability to walk and move around if it isn’t treated quickly. And it may be a sign that your cancer is becoming more advanced. Read more about advanced prostate cancer and how to get support.

No one can tell you exactly what your outlook will be as it will depend on many things such as your general health, where your cancer has spread to, how quickly it is spreading, and how well you respond to treatments. But if your doctor has explained that you are approaching the end of your life, you may want to read our information about dying from prostate cancer. 

Dealing with prostate cancer

Being diagnosed and living with prostate cancer and MSCC can change how you think and feel about life. It’s normal to feel scared, worried, stressed, helpless or even angry. Lots of men with prostate cancer get these kinds of thoughts and feelings. But there’s no ‘right’ way to feel and everyone reacts in their own way.

Visit our wellbeing hub for information to help support you in looking after your emotional, mental, and physical wellbeing. If you are close to someone with prostate cancer, find out more about how you can support someone with prostate cancer and where to get more information.

References

Updated: April 2024 | Due for review: April 2027