Treatment outcome of spinal cord compression by nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Spinal cord compression occurred in 1.6% of a cohort of 626 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma during a median follow-up period of 22 months. The degree of motor deficit before treatment was the most important predictor of subsequent motor recovery. One patient had complete reversal of motor deficit and returned to an ambulatory state by chemotherapy alone. The development of spinal cord compression was associated with a short life expectancy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.