Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis (ISCM) in renal cell carcinoma: A series of six cases

Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis (ISCM) has been infrequently diagnose d during the clinical course of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). With the advent of more sensitive diagnostic procedures including magnetic resonance imagi ng (MRI), more cases of ISCM have been documented. The management of these cases is particularly challenging as lack of prompt intervention often resu lts in irreversible progressive neurological deficits. We describe the mana gement and clinical course in six patients with RCC who developed ISCM. Two of these patients were treated surgically while four were treated with rad iation therapy (RT). Although no major improvements in neurological functio n were noted, stabilizations were common. This prolonged their ability to l ive independently, a matter of utmost importance in these terminally ill pa tients.