Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis from colon cancer: analysis of 19 reported cases

We report and analyze a rare entity of intramedullary spinal cord tumor, which is metastatic from colon cancer with a very poor prognosis. The reported 19 cases including our case in the literature are analyzed. Comparison of outcomes between surgery, radiotherapy and non-treatment groups are evaluated. Life distribution is profiled. Median overall survival is 75 days. The 90 days and 150 days survival rate are 42.9% and 21.4%, respectively. There were no differences between conservative treatment (non-treatment or radiotherapy) and aggressive intervention (surgery or surgery plus radiotherapy) in mortality and the trend of survival probability. The prognosis of metastatic intramedullary spinal cord tumor is poor. Surgery may only be considered in selected patients with good control of primary cancer and without evidence of lung metastases and leptomeningeal carcinomatosis.