During 18 months, all patients with SMD who received local treatment in the South-Eastern Health Region of Norway (population 2.6 million inhabitants) were identified and their medical records were reviewed.
In total, 1002 patients were included; 83 % had multiple lesions in the spine; 39 % had SMD at the time of the primary cancer diagnosis. At the start of local treatment, 31 % had MSCC and 11 % were not able to walk. The prevalence of MSCC at the time of cancer diagnosis was 0.36 % . The annual incidences per 100 000 inhabitants were 26.0 for SMD and 8.1 for MSCC.
Population-based incidences of SMD requiring local treatment have been reported for the first time. The prevalence of MSCC at the time of cancer diagnosis was higher than previously reported. A more precise definition of MSCC and more population-based studies are needed to reduce selection bias when comparing different studies.