Decompression of epidural metastases from germ cell tumors with chemotherapy

J Neurooncol. 1990 Jun;8(3):275-80. doi: 10.1007/BF00177361.

Abstract

Epidural cord compression from germ cell tumor metastases is not common. Treatment usually requires high dose corticosteroids with radiation therapy and/or surgical decompression. Three patients with epidural germ cell tumor metastases were treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy and all three had complete neurologic recovery. Systemic chemotherapy should be considered as initial therapy with corticosteroids for epidural cord compression from metastatic germ cell tumor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma / complications
  • Carcinoma / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma / secondary*
  • Dysgerminoma / complications
  • Dysgerminoma / drug therapy
  • Dysgerminoma / secondary*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal*
  • Radiography
  • Spinal Cord Compression / diagnostic imaging
  • Spinal Cord Compression / drug therapy
  • Spinal Cord Compression / etiology*
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / complications
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Testicular Neoplasms*