Decompression of epidural metastases from germ cell tumors with chemotherapy.

Epidural cord compression from germ cell tumor metastases is not common. Treatment usually requires high dose corticosteroids with radiation therapy and/or surgical decompression. Three patients with epidural germ cell tumor metastases were treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy and all three had complete neurologic recovery. Systemic chemotherapy should be considered as initial therapy with corticosteroids for epidural cord compression from metastatic germ cell tumor.