[A case of metastatic spinal tumor from renal cancer reduced by interferon-alpha]

A case of metastatic spinal tumor from renal cancer reduced by interferon-alpha is reported. A 54-year-old man was admitted to Tane General Hospital on April 12, 1990, with the complaint of difficulty in walking. Abdominal CT scan revealed right renal carcinoma, and MRI demonstrated metastatic spinal tumor at Th6, which was mainly occupying the entire lamina, spinous process and right pedicle of Th6. Nephrectomy was performed and, instead of operating on the spinal lesion, the patient was given follow-up treatment with administration of interferon-alpha (5 million units twice a week) and steroid. 1 year and 6 months later the patient's walking ability began to deteriorate and paraparesis progressed, although the size of the metastatic spinal tumor had gradually reduced. This was thought to be because of atrophy of the legs due to prolonged bed rest and steroid administration. Laminectomy with total removal of the tumor was performed on January 16, 1992. In the 12 months postoperatively, there has been neither recurrence nor remote metastasis seemingly due to the administration of interferon-alpha. This appears to be the first report of metastatic spinal tumor from renal cancer reduced by interferon-alpha.