From the Research
Yes, a positive Babinski sign can occur after treatment of prostate cancer, particularly when the cancer has metastasized to the spine or brain, or as a complication of certain treatments. The Babinski sign indicates upper motor neuron damage, which can result from spinal cord compression due to metastatic lesions in the vertebrae 1. Radiation therapy for prostate cancer can sometimes cause radiation myelopathy, damaging the spinal cord and producing this neurological sign. Hormonal therapies like androgen deprivation therapy may rarely contribute to neurological complications. Chemotherapeutic agents used in advanced prostate cancer, such as docetaxel or cabazitaxel, can cause peripheral neuropathy but typically don't cause a positive Babinski sign unless there's central nervous system involvement. Some key points to consider include:
- The occurrence of the Babinski sign is connected with spastic muscle tone in complete spinal cord injury patients 1
- The absence of the Babinski sign is frequently due to associated peripheral nerve damage 1
- Radiation therapy can increase the risk for the development of second cancers after treatment, but this is not directly related to the Babinski sign 2
- The Babinski sign has proved reliable in precise localization of central nervous system dysfunction, and its presence indicates dysfunction of fibers within the pyramidal tract 3 If a patient develops a positive Babinski sign during or after prostate cancer treatment, it requires immediate neurological evaluation as it may indicate serious complications requiring intervention such as radiation, surgery, or corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and pressure on neural structures.