Breast cancer during pregnancy due to metastasis of a patient with spinal cord compression: Diagnosis, rehabilitation

Objective: Rehabilitation plays an important role in the management of metastatic spinal cord injury as well as surgical and medical treatment strategies. Case Report: Thirty eight year-old woman admitted with neck, shoulder and back pain that limited her walking and other daily activities at 32 weeks of her pregnancy. She had modified radical mastectomy 9 years ago. In physical examination, loss of muscle strength and Lhermitte's sign were noted. Vertebral metastases were demonstrated on the cervical magnetic resonance imaging. Immediately after the progression of motor deficit in the follow up examinations recognized, cesarian section and tumoral excision were performed at the same session at 35 weeks of her pregnancy. After surgery, rehabilitation program was commenced. At the completion of the rehabilitation, recovery of motor strength and functional independency were achieved. Functional recovery was sustained after 18 months of follow up. Conclusion: Care should be given to spinal pain complaints in patients with prior cancer diagnosis. In case of spinal metastasis and metastatic spinal cord compression which is an oncological emergency, early diagnosis and early management strategies and rehabilitation are essential to achieve successful outcome.