Study on the efficacy of and adverse reactions to high-dose dexamethasone therapy for neurological symptoms of spinal cord compression due to malignant tumors
10.2512/jspm.8.515
- VernacularTitle:悪性腫瘍の脊髄圧迫神経症状に対するデキサメタゾン大量療法の有効性と副作用の検討
- Author:
Masayuki Sato
;
Tadashi Miyamori
;
Junko Koyanagi
;
Jutarou Murase
;
Shohei Saka
;
Noburou Ishii
;
Tomohiro Nishi
;
Tadashi Yamagishi
;
Hiroshi Ishiguro
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
dexamethasone;
cancer;
metastatic spinal cord compression;
oncology emergency;
palliative medicine
- From:Palliative Care Research
2013;8(1):515-522
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
-
Abstract:
Objective: Spinal cord compression symptoms are complications that greatly reduce the quality of life of cancer patients. We report a retrospective study on the efficacy of and adverse reactions to high-dose dexamethasone therapy for patients with concomitant spinal cord compression symptoms. Subjects: This study included 8 patients with concomitant spinal cord compression symptoms who received high-dose dexamethasone therapy at our hospital between May 2009 and September 2011. Results: Only high-dose dexamethasone therapy was performed in 8 patients who could not undergo radiotherapy or surgery in combination. Among them, the results of manual muscle testing were improved in 4 patients (50.0%), and grades according to the modified Frankel Classification showed improvement in 5 patients (62.5%). Out of 7 non-ambulatory patients, one (14.3%) regained independent ambulation with highdose dexamethasone therapy alone and was discharged home. No serious adverse reactions were observed in any of the 8 patients. Discussion: This study suggested high-dose dexamethasone therapy to possibly be a useful option for relieving neurological symptoms in patients with spinal cord compression who cannot undergo radiotherapy or surgery in combination.
