Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol 5, 667-671, Copyright © 1987 by American Society of Clinical Oncology
Herniated lumbar disc disease in patients with malignancy
R Goodkin, BI Carr and RG Perrin
Six patients with cancer presented with signs and symptoms of a lumbar
herniated disc syndrome due to a herniated lumbar disc. The differential
diagnosis and literature are reviewed. In four of the six, the patients'
complaints were attributed to the malignancy, with delay in diagnosis and
institution of appropriate therapy. In two of the patients, treatment was
administered for presumed spinal metastasis with radiation therapy and/or
chemotherapy with castration before the correct diagnosis was made. Surgery
was performed on all six patients confirming the diagnosis of a herniated
lumbar disc at the involved level and relieving the patients' pain.