Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis: Clinical management and surgical considerations

As patients survive longer from metastatic cancer with advancing treatment modalities, the incidence of intramedullary spinal cord metastases is likely to rise steadily. Although intramedullary spinal cord metastasis currently heralds a poor prognosis and short survival, even with maximal therapy, attempts at delineating optimal treatment strategies incorporating radiation, chemotherapeutics, and surgery are still necessary. Earlier detection and newer treatment modalities with aggressive but safe cytoreductive surgery may afford extended survival with good functional status.