Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression (MSCC)

People with cancer are at risk of this spreading to other parts of their body, including the spine.

MSCC is rare; between 5 and 10% of cancer patients develop spinal cord compression. All types of cancer can spread to the bones of the spine but it is most common in cancers of the prostate, lung and breast. If not diagnosed and treated urgently, damage to the spinal cord can lead to permanent paralysis.

The Manchester MSCC service based at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust provides a single point of contact for primary and secondary care. We offer advice and coordination in the care of patients with suspected and confirmed MSCC in Greater Manchester and Cheshire.

• If you are a patient and are concerned about symptoms suggesting Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression, please see your GP, oncologist or specialist nurse urgently.
• If you are a clinician concerned about a patient in your care, please contact the MSCC co-ordinating service urgently. You can access further information on our contact the MSCC service page.