Study on the efficacy of and adverse reactions to high-dose dexamethasone therapy for neurological symptoms of spinal cord compression due to malignant tumors
Palliative Care Research
;
: 515-522, 2013.
Article
in Japanese
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-374767
ABSTRACT
<b>Objective</b> 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. <b>Subjects</b> 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. <b>Results</b> 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. <b>Discussion</b> 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.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Practice guideline
/
Observational study
Language:
Japanese
Journal:
Palliative Care Research
Year:
2013
Type:
Article
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