Symptomatic spinal cord compression in spinal epidural metastasis of a testicular germ cell tumor: a case report with review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Metastatic germ cell tumors particularly in the bone are rare entities. They occur in young men and classified in the group of poor prognosis. Bone metastases are responsible for a significant functional handicap and a deep alteration in the quality of life of young patients. Metastatic germ cell tumors are rare entities with a high cure rate due to their extreme chemosensitivity. To our knowledge, epidural metastasis of this tumor has not yet been reported in the English medical literature. Tumors of the breast, lung and prostate are the most notorious for metastasizing in the epidural-spinal space. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report a clinical case of spinal cord compression secondary to metastasis in the spinal epidural space of a testicular germ cell tumor in a 23-year-old. Patient whose evolution was marked by a decrease in tumor markers and a clear clinical improvement with disappearance of lower back pain and horsetail syndrome after starting the treatment with decompressive radiotherapy and chemotherapy based on bleomycin cisplatin and etoposide. CONCLUSIONS: Through this, we want to emphasize that an epidural metastasis of this tumor is possible, and that it must be part of the diagnoses to be evoked in the face of metastatic spinal cord compression, which potentially allows to avoid a significant functional handicap and a profound alteration in the quality life of young patients.