title: Decompression of epidural metastases from germ cell tumors with chemotherapy.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bajorin
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Shapiro
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Krol
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sze
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Bosl
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary*; D004407:Dysgerminoma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal; D011859:Radiography; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary*; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms