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Nature Reviews Neurology 2, 10–11 (1 January 2006) | doi:10.1038/ncpneuro0089

Does decompressive surgery improve outcome in patients with metastatic epidural spinal-cord compression?

David E Gerber & Stuart A Grossman

Patchell RA et al. (2005) Direct decompressive surgical resection in the treatment of spinal cord compression caused by metastatic cancer: a randomised trial. Lancet 366: 643–648 Synopsis Background Only half of patients with metastatic epidural spinal-cord compression (MESCC) retain the ability to walk after receiving the current standard treatment of radiotherapy and corticosteroids.