Metastatic epithelioid trophoblastic tumor involving the spine

This is a single case-based report.

We report the first case of epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT) presenting as primary metastasis to the spine.

ETT is an extremely rare form of gestational trophoblastic neoplasm with less than 100 cases reported in the literature. A 36-year-old, postpartum woman presented with severe low back pain and was found to have a contrast-enhancing lesion in lower thoracic spine subsequently confirmed as ETT.

The patient data, history, clinical examination findings, laboratory, and histopathology data and imaging studies were retrospectively reviewed and findings reported. A literature search using Pubmed and Cochrane database was conducted.

We described the first case of an ETT to present as a primary metastasis to the spine.

This first report of metastasis of ETT to the spine adds significant new information to the growing literature of this rare and newly identified tumor. It also alerts the neurosurgeon into considering the diagnosis with appropriate clinical presentation. As more number of cases of nervous system involvement with this tumor are reported, crucial information on prognostic factors and treatment regimens will emerge.