How is neoplastic epidural spinal cord compression treated?
Patients should receive high-dose corticosteroids initially. Radiation therapy has shown to be beneficial in improving pain and preserving neurologic function.
If patients have an unstable spine and limited primary disease burden, a decompressive resection and stabilization followed by radiation therapy should be performed.
Early diagnosis and urgent treatment are critically important to maintain neurologic function.
Pretreatment neurologic status is the single most important prognostic factor for being ambulatory after neoplastic epidural spinal cord compression.
