eMedicine Specialties > Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation > Plexopathy

Neoplastic Lumbosacral Plexopathy: Follow-up

Author: Rajesh R Yadav, MD, Assistant Professor, Section of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas at Houston
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Dec 4, 2008

Follow-up

Prognosis

  • Neoplastic lumbosacral plexopathy (NLP) progresses much faster than does radiation-related plexopathy, and the patient survival rate is limited. Median survival is 5.5 months from the time of diagnosis, with a range of 1-34 months. In one study, at 1-month follow-up visit, only 15-17% of patients demonstrated improvement in pain or weakness, and 28% showed improvement in CT scan findings. Over half of the patients (59%) demonstrated gradual worsening of neurologic deficits.
  • In another study, 13 patients who underwent palliative irradiation for NLP had median survival of 185 days, with a range of 47-636 days.19

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • If the diagnosis of neoplastic lumbosacral plexopathy is not established in a timely manner and proper treatment pursued, the physician is at risk for medicolegal consequences.
 


More on Neoplastic Lumbosacral Plexopathy

Overview: Neoplastic Lumbosacral Plexopathy
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Neoplastic Lumbosacral Plexopathy
Treatment & Medication: Neoplastic Lumbosacral Plexopathy
Follow-up: Neoplastic Lumbosacral Plexopathy
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

neoplastic lumbosacral plexopathy, plexus, lumbosacral, breast cancer, sciatic nerve, colorectal cancer, psoas, neoplastic, psoas muscle, femoral nerve, iliopsoas, iliopsoas muscle, ilioinguinal nerve, obturator nerve, abdominal cancer, cervical cancer, pelvic tumor, retroperitoneal tumor, NLP, lumbosacral plexus, lumbosacral plexopathy, proximal lumbosacral plexopathy, malignant psoas syndrome, MPS, malignant lumbosacral plexopathy, lumbosacral carcinomatous, neuropathy tumor-induced lumbosacral plexopathy, tumor, lumbar plexus, sacral plexus

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Rajesh R Yadav, MD, Assistant Professor, Section of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas at Houston
Rajesh R Yadav, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Robert J Kaplan, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Kansas School of Medicine and Medical Center
Robert J Kaplan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, Association of Academic Physiatrists, International Spine Intervention Society, and Physiatric Association of Spine, Sports and Occupational Rehabilitation
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Michael T Andary, MD, MS, Residency Program Director, Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Michael T Andary, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Medical Association, and Association of Academic Physiatrists
Disclosure: allergan Honoraria Speaking and teaching

CME Editor

Kelly L Allen, MD, Regional Medical Director, IMX-Medical Management Services
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Robert H Meier III, MD, Director, Amputee Services of America; Active Medical Staff, Presbyterian/St Luke's Hospital, Spalding Rehabilitation Hospital, Select Specialty Hospital; Consulting Staff, Kindred Hospital
Robert H Meier III, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Association of Academic Physiatrists
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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