Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression (MSCC)
What we do
We see current King’s cancer patients with symptoms of metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC). This is an uncommon condition affecting people with certain cancers that have spread to the bones in the spine, or have started in the spine. Secondary cancer in the spine can be painful and if not treated, can lead to spinal cord compression and damage.
Preparing for your appointment
No specific preparation is needed before your appointment.
Location
First floor, Willowfield Building, King’s College Hospital, Bessemer Road, SE5 9BG
Contact Details
- Main Reception: 020 3299 5468
- Appointments: 020 3299 6804
- MSCC Coordinator: 020 3299 5468
Conditions we treat
We accept referrals for current King’s cancer patients with any of the following symptoms:
- severe intractable progressive pain – especially in thoracic region
- new spinal nerve root pain (burning, shooting, causing numbness)
- altered sensation and/or reduced power in limbs
- bladder and/or bowel disturbance (i.e. new onset of incontinence).
Please refer children with any of the above symptoms to paediatric neurosurgery in the first instance. They will then make an internal referral, as needed.
We do not treat:
- adults with nerve roots tumours compressing the spinal cord.
- adults with spinal cord compression caused by primary tumours of the spinal cord and meninges – referrals should be made to neuro-oncology
- adults with spinal cord compression due to non-malignant causes – referrals should be made to spinal surgery.
Booking a patient at King’s
Routine Referrals
For adult patients with symptoms of spinal metastasis or MSCC without new neurological symptoms:
- GPs: Contact the MSCC Coordinator on 020 3299 5468 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) to discuss arranging an MRI scan. Then complete the MSCC referral form (below) and email it with MRI spine images to: [email protected]
- Hospital referrers: complete an MRI within 7 days and contact the MSCC Coordinator within 24 hours of the scan on 020 3299 5468 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm). Then complete the MSCC referral form (below) and email it with MRI spine images to: [email protected]
Emergency Referrals
For patients with symptoms of spinal metastasis or MSCC with neurological symptoms:
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm: Please complete referral via the inter-hospital acute referrals system and call 020 3299 5468 to alert the team of the referral. Email any radiological reports (CT and MRI) to: [email protected]
- Out of hours – Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and 24 hours a day on weekends and bank holidays: Tertiary referrers should use the inter-hospital acute referrals system. GPs should phone 020 3299 4207 to speak to the on-call Neurosurgical STR. If you cannot contact the STR within one hour, make direct consultant-to-consultant referral to the on-call Neurosurgical Consultant via the switchboard on 020 3299 9000. Email [email protected] to alert the team of the referral
The MSCC leaflet for referrers gives more information on referral pathways.
Other Queries
Contact the MSCC Coordinator on 020 3299 5468 to:
- clarify the clinical context of your completed referral form
- have further discussion with the on-call Spine Neurosurgeon Consultant
- discuss the MDM outcome and any follow-up action.
Out-of-hours, contact the Neurosurgeon SpR on call on 020 3299 4207.
Referral forms
| Title | File Size | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Metastatic Cord Compression (MSCC) referral form – Neuro | 60 KB |
Key Clinical Staff
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Mr Aminul Ahmed | Consultant Neurosurgeon |
| Mr David Bell | Consultant Neurosurgeon |
| Mr Gordan Grahovac | Consultant Neurosurgeon and Clinical Lead for MSCC |
| Mr Irfan Malik | Consultant Neurosurgeon |
| Mr Nick Thomas | Consultant Neurosurgeon |