A new and simple scoring system to predict overall survival after irradiation for metastatic spinal cord compression

• Published in: Clinical & translational oncology Vol. 22; no. 3; pp. 440 - 444
• Main Authors: Nenclares, P., Guardado, S., Asiáin, L., Pérez-Escutia, M. Á., Peña, M. C., Bartolomé, A., Ruíz, A., Cabeza, M. Á., Colmenero, M., Gascón, N., Rodríguez, V., Prados, R., D´Ambrosi, R., Pérez-Regadera, J. F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.03.2020
• Subjects: Brief Research Article; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Oncology; Radiotherapy; Prognosis; Spinal cord compression
• ISSN: 1699-048X; 1699-3055
• DOI: 10.1007/s12094-019-02144-5

Purpose To develop a model that predicts survival in patients irradiated for metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC), hence assisting in the decision between a short and a long-course radiotherapy (RT) regimen. Methods 138 patients diagnosed with MSCC and treated with RT alone were included. Based on a multivariate analysis, a scoring system was developed. It included four prognostic variables: age, number of vertebrae, ECOG and histology. Total scores ranged between 14 and 24 points and patients were divided into two groups. Results The 6-month survival rate was 22% for patients with a score of 14–18 points; and 69% for patients with a score of 19–24 points ( P < 0.001). The system exhibits a high specificity and positive predictive value and an appropriate discriminative ability. Conclusions Patients with scores between 19 and 24 points were found to survive longer, thus a long-course RT appears to be more appropriate.