Erythropoietin Spinal Cord Compression Randomized Trial

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults (\> 18 years old) with histopathologically confirmed cancer * Patients unable to ambulate independently due to paraparesis or paraplegia from malignant epidural spinal cord compression (categories 2, 3, 4 in Appendix B) * Radiotherapy offered for treatment of cord compression using 2000cGy in 5 fractions * Informed consent signed * Females subjects must be post-menopausal or surgically incapable of childbearing potential, must be practicing an acceptable method of birth control (i.e., hormonal contraceptives, intrauterine device or barrier and spermicide) Exclusion Criteria: * Uncontrolled hypertension (systolic pressure \> 160 mmHg, diastolic \> 100 mmHg) or unstable cardiovascular disease * Previous DVT/PE or arterial embolic event * Patients with a Hb \> 120 g/L or Hct \> 40% (for both males \& females) * Patients with potentially curable disease * Patients with life expectancy \< 3 months * Patients who have received RT that would overlap with the planned treatment field * Contraindications for MRI scan * Women who are pregnant, or who intend to become pregnant, or who are nursing * Patients with known brain metastases; those with a primary diagnosis of melanoma will require confirmation by CT or MRI * Patients with a history of poorly controlled seizure disorder * Patients with a known hypersensitivity to mammalian cell-derived products or albumin * Patients who cannot receive adequate antithrombotic treatment, who have a hypersensitivity …