Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression (MSCC)

Background

Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression (MSCC) refers to compression of the spinal cord and/or cauda equina by pathological vertebral collapse and/or direct tumour expansion. This can result in partial or complete loss of neurological function and is therefore classed as an oncological emergency.

Audits and studies have shown that the best outcomes for patients with MSCC are achieved following early recognition, rapid referral and appropriate timely management.(1) The MSCC Service is hosted at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre (CCC) and provides a single point of contact for the regional emergency spinal oncology pathway.

The purpose of the MSCC Service is to provide support and guidance to healthcare professionals in order to streamline diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitation processes for patients with MSCC or suspected MSCC. The service supports Cheshire and Merseyside’s primary care services, secondary care acute trusts/urgent care pathways, haematology teams, hospice/community teams, The Walton spinal centre and CCC. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance ‘Spinal metastases and metastatic spinal cord compression” published in 2023 (1), forms the basis of this pathway.