title: Radiotherapy Alone for Malignant Spinal Cord Compression in Young Men with Seminoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Seminomas are very radiosensitive tumors. Therefore, patients with malignant spinal cord compression (MSCC) from seminoma may not require for neurosurgery in addition to radiotherapy. In this study, radiotherapy alone was evaluated in young men with MSCC from seminoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four young men with MSCC due to vertebral lesions from metastatic seminoma received radiotherapy alone. The impact of radiotherapy on motor function and gait function, local control of MSCC and survival were retrospectively evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients showed improvement of motor function following irradiation. All patients who were not able to walk prior to radiotherapy regained their walking ability. One-year and two-year local control rates were 100% and 100%, respectively. Survival rates at one and two years were 75% and 75%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiotherapy alone resulted in excellent outcomes. If clear indications for neurosurgery are not given, radiotherapy alone can be considered the treatment of choice for patients with MSCC from seminoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology and Hematology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Louisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bolm
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology and Hematology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Janssen
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bartscht
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology and Hematology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany rades.dirk@gmx.net.
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rades
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005684:Gait / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020127:Recovery of Function; D018239:Seminoma / Q000150:complications / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking
keywords: Seminoma; malignant spinal cord compression; radiotherapy alone; treatment outcome; young men