Spinal Cord Compression by Testicular Germ Cell Tumor: Case Report

• Autor(a) principal: Estevinho, Fernanda
• Data de Publicação: 2013
• Outros Autores: Sousa, Nuno, Rodrigues, Ângelo, Carneiro, Eduarda, Souto, João, Begonha, Rosa, Maurício, Joaquina
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: https://www.actamedicaportuguesa.com/revista/index.php/amp/article/view/1600

Malignant spinal cord compression occurs in 2.5% - 5% cancer patients. Early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention are critical for paincontrol and improvement of any neurological deficit. Treatment should be directed to the underlying disease together with appropriatesymptom management.The case of a man with tetraparesis of 24 hours duration is presented. He had surgery five days earlier because of a testicular tumor andspinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed spinal cord compression by a soft tissue mass between C7 and D2. After confirmingthe diagnosis of mixed germ cell tumor, stage IIIC, the patient began chemotherapy with progressive neurological improvement. Twoyears after diagnosis the patient presents a slight reduction of strength in the right hand and remains without any evidence of disease.This case illustrates the importance of early diagnosis of spinal cord compression and one of the main indications for the use of chemotherapyas the treatment for an oncologic emergency.