<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Background. This study was initiated to create a predictive instrument for estimating the survival of patients with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC) from esophageal cancer. Methods. In 27 patients irradiated for MESCC from esophageal cancer, the following nine characteristics were evaluated for potential impact on survival: age, gender, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score, histology, number of involved vertebrae, ambulatory status before irradiation, further bone metastases, visceral metastases, and dynamic of developing motor deficits before irradiation. In addition, the impact of the radiation regimen was investigated. According to Bonferroni correction, p-values of &lt; 0.006 were significant representing an alpha level of &lt; 0.05. Results. ECOG performance score (p &lt; 0.001), number of involved vertebrae (p = 0.005), and visceral metastases (p = 0.004) had a significant impact on survival and were included in the predictive instrument. Scoring points for each characteristic were calculated by dividing the 6-months survival rates (in %) by 10. The prognostic score for each patient was obtained by adding the scoring points of the three characteristics. The prognostic scores were 4, 9, 10, 14 or 20 points. Three prognostic groups were formed, 4 points (n = 11), 9-14 points (n = 12) and 20 points (n = 4). The corresponding 6-months survival rates were 0%, 33% and 100%, respectively (p &lt; 0.001). Median survival times were 1 month, 5 months and 16.5 months, respectively. Conclusions. This new instrument allows the physician estimate the 6-months survival probability of an individual patient presenting with MESCC from esophageal cancer. This is important to know for optimally personalizing the treatment of these patients.</abstract>

Background. This study was initiated to create a predictive instrument for estimating the survival of patients with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC) from esophageal cancer. Methods. In 27 patients irradiated for MESCC from esophageal cancer, the following nine characteristics were evaluated for potential impact on survival: age, gender, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score, histology, number of involved vertebrae, ambulatory status before irradiation, further bone metastases, visceral metastases, and dynamic of developing motor deficits before irradiation. In addition, the impact of the radiation regimen was investigated. According to Bonferroni correction, p-values of < 0.006 were significant representing an alpha level of < 0.05. Results. ECOG performance score (p < 0.001), number of involved vertebrae (p = 0.005), and visceral metastases (p = 0.004) had a significant impact on survival and were included in the predictive instrument. Scoring points for each characteristic were calculated by dividing the 6-months survival rates (in %) by 10. The prognostic score for each patient was obtained by adding the scoring points of the three characteristics. The prognostic scores were 4, 9, 10, 14 or 20 points. Three prognostic groups were formed, 4 points (n = 11), 9-14 points (n = 12) and 20 points (n = 4). The corresponding 6-months survival rates were 0%, 33% and 100%, respectively (p < 0.001). Median survival times were 1 month, 5 months and 16.5 months, respectively. Conclusions. This new instrument allows the physician estimate the 6-months survival probability of an individual patient presenting with MESCC from esophageal cancer. This is important to know for optimally personalizing the treatment of these patients.

A new instrument for estimating the survival of patients with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression from esophageal cancer

Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Lubeck, Lubeck, Germany

Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany

Department of Radiation Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany

Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, University of Lubeck, Lubeck, Germany

Radiology and Oncology

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Background. This study was initiated to create a predictive instrument for estimating the survival of patients with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression...

A new instrument for estimating the survival of patients with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression from esophageal cancer

Published Online: Mar 03, 2015

Page range: 86 - 90

Received: Jun 29, 2014

Accepted: Sep 29, 2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/raon-2014-0043

Keywords
esophageal cancer, spinal cord compression, metastatic, epidural, irradiation, survival, predictive instrument

© by Dirk Rades

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

A new instrument for estimating the survival of patients with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression from esophageal cancer

Published Online: Mar 03, 2015

Page range: 86 - 90

Received: Jun 29, 2014

Accepted: Sep 29, 2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/raon-2014-0043

Keywordsesophageal cancer, spinal cord compression, metastatic, epidural, irradiation, survival, predictive instrument

© by Dirk Rades

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
esophageal cancer, spinal cord compression, metastatic, epidural, irradiation, survival, predictive instrument