Prognosis in patients with symptomatic metastatic spinal cord compression: survival in different cancer diagnosis in a cohort of 2321 patients

Six-Month Survivorship Prediction in Spinal Metastatic Patients by Oncologists Shows Reliable Prognostication

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective analysis of oncologist-provided prognoses vs actual survival outcomes of patients referred with Metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) to a supra-regional multidisciplinary team (MDT).

OBJECTIVES

Prognostic scoring systems, such as the revised Tokuhashi, are commonly used to help guide the treatment of MSCC. However, scoring systems do not accommodate for the improved outcomes of contemporary cancer therapy. Oncologist-provided prognoses play an important role in real world rapid decision making. There is a paucity of evidence assessing the accuracy of the oncologist-provided prognosis. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate this.

METHODS

Data was captured between January 2015 and December 2018. Patients were split into 2 groups: Group 1 (prognosis estimated <6 months) and Group 2 (prognosis estimated >6 months). Median overall survival (mOS) and hazard ratio for death (HR) was assessed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to assess the accuracy of the oncologist's prognosis.

RESULTS

829 patients were included. mOS in Group 1 was 5.8 months (95% CI 4.2-7.4 m), and in Group 2 mOS was not reached. Log rank test gave a Chi2 of 131 (P < .001). Cox regression analysis revealed a HR of .30 (P < .001). Area under the ROC curve was 78%.

CONCLUSIONS

Oncologist-provided prognosis is accurate in this cohort of unselected, consecutive MSCC patients. It reduced reliance on scoring systems that can become outdated. Given the rapid progress in cancer treatment, the oncologist's prognostic prediction is integral in efficient and effective MSCC management to help rapidly determine surgical candidacy.

The Impact of Adjunct Medical Therapy on Survival after Spine Metastasis: A Systematic Review and Pooled Data Analysis

Targeted therapy has greatly improved the outlook for patients with spinal metastatic cancers. Scoring systems like the Tokuhashi or Tomita scores are commonly used to predict prognosis and inform surgical decisions, but they are outdated and fail to consider recent advancements. We aimed to investigate the current state of the literature and treatment options pertaining to advancements in targeted therapy compared to other forms of medical management for metastatic spinal tumors. This study represents the first comprehensive systematic review that encompasses the most common primary cancers that metastasize to the spine and evaluates the median overall survival (mOS) across five different medical treatment modalities as well as surgical intervention. Additionally, our study analyzes the tumor receptor status in conjunction with these treatments. A PubMed search was conducted, and according to the PRISMA guidelines, 28 articles out of 1834 met the inclusion criteria. The pooled data analysis highlighted the superior efficacy of targeted therapy, evidenced by a significant improvement in the mOS and lower hazard ratios in patients with lung and breast cancers who received targeted therapy compared to those who did not. Our study provides valuable insights into the recent advancements in the medical management of metastatic spinal tumors. Future indications include incorporating this literature into personalized treatment approaches for metastatic spinal tumors.

Does Patient Blood Management Affect Outcomes in Metastatic Spine Tumour Surgery? A Review of Current Concepts

STUDY DESIGN

Narrative review.

OBJECTIVE

The spine is the most common site of metastases, associated with decreased quality of life. Increase in metastatic spine tumour surgery (MSTS) has caused us to focus on the management of blood, as blood loss is a significant morbidity in these patients. However, blood transfusion is also not without its own risks, and hence this led to blood conservation strategies and implementation of a concept of patient blood management (PBM) in clinical practise focusing on these patients.

METHODS

A narrative review was conducted and all studies that were related to blood management in metastatic spine disease as well as PBM surrounding this condition were included.

RESULTS

A total of 64 studies were included in this review. We discussed a new concept of patient blood management in patients undergoing MSTS, with stratification to pre-operative and intra-operative factors, as well as anaesthesia and surgical considerations. The studies show that PBM and reduction in blood transfusion allows for reduced readmission rates, lower risks associated with blood transfusion, and lower morbidity for patients undergoing MSTS.

CONCLUSION

Through this review, we highlight various pre-operative and intra-operative methods in the surgical and anaesthesia domains that can help with PBM. It is an important concept with the significant amount of blood loss expected from MSTS.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Not applicable.

Prognostic Factors in Patients with Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression Secondary to Lung Cancer-A Retrospective UK Single-Centre Study

PURPOSE

Metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) is a severe complication of cancer that can lead to irreversible neurological impairment, necessitating prompt recognition and intervention. This retrospective, single-centre study aimed to determine the prognostic factors and survival rates among patients presenting with MSCC secondary to lung cancer.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We identified 74 patients with epidural metastases-related spinal cord compression and a history of lung cancer through the electronic database of Medway Maritime Hospital in the United Kingdom (UK), spanning the period from April 2016 to September 2021. Among them, 39 were below 55 years old, while 35 were aged 55 years or older; 24 patients were diagnosed with small cell lung cancer (SCLC), and 50 patients had non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

RESULTS

The median overall survival (OS) was 5.5 months, with 52 out of 74 patients dying within 6 months of diagnosis with MSCC. For the entire cohort, the statistically significant variables on multi-variate analysis were cancer type (NSCLC had improved OS), the number of involved vertebrae (one to two vertebrae involvement had improved OS), and the time taken to develop motor deficits (≤10 days to develop motor deficits had worsened OS). For the NSCLC cohort, the statistically significant variables on multivariate analysis were molecular alterations (patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation), pre-treatment ambulatory status, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, and the time taken to develop motor deficits.

CONCLUSIONS

Within the entire cohort, patients diagnosed with NSCLC and spinal metastases affecting one to two vertebrae exhibited enhanced OS. Within the NSCLC subgroup, those with EGFR mutations who were ambulatory and possessed an ECOG performance status of 1-2 demonstrated improved OS. In both the entire cohort and the NSCLC subgroup, the development of motor deficits within a period of ≤10 days was associated with poor OS.

Surgical Management of the Metastatic Spine Disease: A Review of the Literature and Proposed Algorithm

STUDY DESIGN

Narrative Review. The spine remains the most common site for bony metastasis. It is estimated that up to 70% of cancer patients harbor secondary spinal disease. And up to 10% will develop a clinically significant lesion. The last two decades have seen a substantial leap forward in the advancements of the management of spinal metastases. What once was a death sentence is now a manageable, even potentially treatable condition. With marked advancements in the surgical treatment and post-operative radiotherapy, a standardized approach to stratify and manage these patients is both prudent and now feasible.

OBJECTIVES

This article looks to examine the best available evidence in the stratification and surgical management of patients with spinal metastases. So the aim of this review is to offer a standardized approach for surgical management and surgical planning of patients with spinal metastases.

External validation of the SORG machine learning algorithms for predicting 90-day and 1-year survival of patients with lung cancer-derived spine metastases: a recent bi-center cohort from China

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

The survival prediction of lung cancer-derived spinal metastases is often underestimated by several scores. The SORG machine learning (ML) algorithm is considered a promising tool to predict the risk of 90-day and 1-year mortality in patients with spinal metastases, but not been externally validated for lung cancer.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to externally validate the SORG ML algorithms on lung cancer-derived spinal metastases patients from two large-volume, tertiary medical centers between 2018 and 2021.

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING

Retrospective, cohort study.

PATIENT SAMPLE

Patients aged 18 years or older at two tertiary medical centers in China are treated surgically for spinal metastasis.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Mortality within 90 days of surgery, mortality within 1 year of surgery.

METHODS

The baseline characteristics were compared between the development cohort and our validation cohort. Discrimination (receiver operating curve), calibration (calibration plot, intercept, and slope), the overall performance (Brier score), and decision curve analysis was used to assess the overall performance of the SORG ML algorithms.

RESULTS

This study included 150 patients with lung cancer-derived spinal metastases from two medical centers in China. Ninety-day and 1-year mortality rates were 12.9% (19/147) and 51.3% (60/117), respectively. Lung Cancer with targeted therapies had the lowest Hazard Ratio (HR=0.490), showing an optimal protecting factor. The AUC of the SORG ML algorithm for 90-day mortality prediction in lung cancer-derived spinal metastases is 0.714. While the AUC for 1-year mortality prediction is 0.832 (95CI%, 0.758-0.906). The algorithm for 1-year mortality was well-calibrated with an intercept of 0.13 and a calibration slope of 1.00. However, the 90-day mortality prediction was underestimated with an intercept of 0.60 and a slope of 0.37. The SORG ML algorithms for 1-year mortality showed a greater net benefit than the "treats all or no patients" strategies.

CONCLUSIONS

In the latest cohort of lung cancer-derived spinal metastases in China, the SORG algorithms for predicting 1-year mortality performed well on external validation. However, 90-day mortality was underestimated. The algorithm should be further validated by single primary tumor-derived metastasis treated with the latest comprehensive treatment in diverse populations.

Prognostic factors and outcomes of surgical intervention for patients with spinal metastases secondary to lung cancer: an update systematic review and meta analysis

PURPOSE

Lung cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors. Most patients develop spinal metastases during the course of cancer and suffer skeletal-related events. Currently, no consensus has been reached on the prognostic factors in patients undergoing surgeries. This study aimed to answer two questions: (1) what are the effects of surgical intervention, and (2) what are the factors associated with postoperative survival.

METHODS

Searches were performed on electronic databases including PubMed, Ovid/MEDLINE, Cochrane, and Scopus for articles published before February of 2022, involving the survival factors of patients with spinal metastasis. Multiple data items were considered, such as baseline demographics, surgical details, clinical outcome, and prognostic factors. The analysis was performed in Review Manager (RevMan) 5.5. The prognostic factors of survival were analyzed with univariate and multivariate cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

Finally, 14 studies with 813 patients were identified. Their 6, 12, and 24 months survival rates ranged from 18 to 58%, 18 to 22.4%, and 0 to 58.5%, respectively. The pooled hazard ratio of preoperative ambulatory status and the number of involved vertebrae demonstrated statistical significance, while no significant prognostic effect on the overall survival was found for targeted therapy, visceral metastases, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or postoperative ambulatory status.

CONCLUSION

Overall, surgical intervention could achieve significant pain relief and neurological function improvements. For patients receiving surgery for spinal metastasis from lung cancer, preoperative ambulatory status and the number of involved vertebrae were significant prognostic factors associated with their survival.

Incidence and risk factors associated with the development of metastatic spinal cord compression due to bone metastasis in women with cervical cancer

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and factors associated with the development of metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) after cervical cancer (CC).

METHODS

This retrospective cohort of 3551 women with CC who underwent treatment at the Brazilian National Cancer Institute were included in the study. Clinical and sociodemographic variables were obtained from the Hospital Cancer Registry and from hospital records. A descriptive study of the population was carried out, using means and standard deviations or frequencies and percentages. The Kaplan-Meier curve was used to identify annual incidence rates. Associations between the independent variables and the outcome (MSCC) were evaluated by a univariate analysis, applying crude and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) assuming 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

The MSCC incidence was of 1.5% (n = 51), associated to advanced staging (aOR = 2.65, 95% CI: 1.45-4.85, p = 0.001) and initial treatment with concomitant chemotherapy and radiotherapy (aOR = 4.40, 95% CI: 1.74-11.13, p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings revealed the incidence and factors associated with MSCC, indicating a subset of patients who may be potential targets for the prevention and early treatment of this condition, indicating unprecedented and relevant data for the Brazilian epidemiological scenario due to the high CC incidence rates.

Surgical strategy for metastatic spinal tumor patients with surgically challenging situation

The incidence of spinal metastasis is increasing as cancer patients live longer owing to the improvement of cancer treatments. However, traditional surgery (TS) which fixates at least 2 levels above and 2 levels below the affected vertebrae is sometimes difficult to perform as it is burdensome to the patients. In this article, we introduce our experience and strategy in treating spinal metastasis, focusing particularly on challenging cases. We retrospectively reviewed the data of 110 patients who underwent spinal surgery for metastatic spinal tumors from April 2018 to March 2020. Among them, 5 patients who received anterior approach surgery were excluded. The remaining 105 patients were enrolled. In addition to TS, we also performed cervical pedicle screw, cervicothoracic junction fixation, thoracolumbar short fixation, and decompression surgery, depending on the characteristics of the tumor. The overall survival was analyzed, and the local tumor control rate was evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging. Perioperative clinical characteristics including Spine Oncology Study Group Outcomes Questionnaire, visual analog scale, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score, and Karnofsky Performance Score were also investigated. The overall survival rate was 57.9% at 1 year, and the local tumor control rate was 81.1% after surgery. There was a statistically significant difference according to the type of the tumor in the survival analysis: the overall survival rates were 72.7% for favorable tumors and 48.6% for unfavorable tumors at 12 months after surgery (P = .04). Spine Oncology Study Group Outcomes Questionnaire, visual analog scale, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score, and Karnofsky Performance Score was improved after surgery. All surgical methods, including TS, cervical pedicle screw, cervicothoracic junction fixation, thoracolumbar short fixation, and decompression surgery, showed good clinical and radiological outcomes. Optimized surgical methods show similarly good clinical outcomes in managing spinal metastasis as TS.

Preoperative Embolization of Spinal Metastatic Tumor: The Use of Selective Computed Tomography Angiography for the Detection of Radiculomedullary Arteries

Introduction

Preoperative embolization for metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) has a risk of spinal ischemia. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of preoperative embolization in patients with MSCC and evaluate the use of computed tomography (CT) angiography for the detection of the radiculomedullary arteries (RMA).

Methods

This retrospective study included 20 patients (12 men and 8 women; median age, 66 years), who underwent preoperative embolization before a decompression surgery, which corresponded to 22 embolization procedures. The detection ability of RMA was evaluated using angiography and selective CT angiography. Surgical data including intraoperative blood loss and transfusion were also evaluated.

Results

Six RMAs were identified at the levels of affected vertebrae and one level above and below in the diagnostic spinal angiography. In addition to spinal angiography, adjunctive selective CT angiography allowed visualization of another five RMAs. Overall, 11 RMAs were identified in 9 patients. Preoperative embolization was successfully achieved in all patients. As regards complications related to embolization procedure, palsy exacerbated in one patient (4.5%), which improved postoperatively. During the surgical procedure, the mean intraoperative blood loss was 353.4±254.2 mL without intraoperative transfusion in all patients.

Conclusions

The present study showed small amounts of intraoperative blood loss without any severe complications related to preoperative embolization. Selective CT angiography was a useful technique to detect RMAs and contributed to the safety of preoperative embolization.

Surgical Intervention for Patients With Spinal Metastasis From Lung Cancer: A Retrospective Study of 87 Cases

STUDY DESIGN

This was a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate the prognosis and surgical outcomes of patients with spinal metastasis from lung cancer undergoing surgical treatment.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

The spine is the most common site of metastatic lesions in patients with lung cancer. There have been a few studies, all small cohorts studying prognosis and surgical outcomes and the results were discordant.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study on a prospectively collected database was conducted. Data collected were the following: age, tobacco use, tumor histology, American Spinal Injury Association score, revised Tokuhashi score, ambulatory status, perioperative complications, postoperative adjuvant treatment, and survival time. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the prognostic factors of survival.

RESULTS

The authors studied 87 patients with a mean age of 61.3±1.9 years. Median survival was 4.1±0.8 months. Twenty-eight patients (32.2%) lived >6 months and 14 patients (16.1%) lived >12 months. The medical complication rate was 13.8% and the surgical complication rate was 5.7%. The 30-day mortality rate was 4.6%. Univariate analysis showed tobacco use, revised Tokuhashi score, preoperative and postoperative American Spinal Injury Association score, postoperative walking ability, postoperative radiotherapy, and postoperative chemotherapy were prognostic factors. There was no significant difference in survival between adenoma lung cancers, nonadenoma lung cancers, and small cell lung cancers (P=0.51). Multivariate analysis revealed tobacco use, revised Tokuhashi score, postoperative walking ability, postoperative radiotherapy, and postoperative chemotherapy affected the survival.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the largest reported study of patients with spinal metastasis from lung cancer undergoing spinal surgery. It is the first study showing that tobacco use has a negative impact on survival. Spinal surgery improves the quality of life and offers nonambulatory patients a high chance of regaining walking ability with an acceptable risk of complications.

Survival, fusion, and hardware failure after surgery for spinal metastatic disease

OBJECTIVE

Decompression with instrumented fusion is commonly employed for spinal metastatic disease. Arthrodesis is typically sought despite limited knowledge of fusion outcomes, high procedural morbidity, and poor prognosis. This study aimed to describe survival, fusion, and hardware failure after decompression and fusion for spinal metastatic disease.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively examined a prospectively collected, single-institution database of adult patients undergoing decompression and instrumented fusion for spinal metastases. Patients were followed clinically until death or loss to follow-up. Fusion was assessed using CT when performed for oncological surveillance at 6-month intervals through 24 months postoperatively. Estimated cumulative incidences for fusion and hardware failure accounted for the competing risk of death. Potential risk factors were analyzed with univariate Fine and Gray proportional subdistribution hazard models.

RESULTS

One hundred sixty-four patients were identified. The mean age ± SD was 62.2 ± 10.8 years, 61.6% of patients were male, 98.8% received allograft and/or autograft, and 89.6% received postoperative radiotherapy. The Kaplan-Meier estimate of median survival was 11.0 months (IQR 3.5-37.8 months). The estimated cumulative incidences of any fusion and of complete fusion were 28.8% (95% CI 21.3%-36.7%) and 8.2% (95% CI 4.1%-13.9%). Of patients surviving 6 and 12 months, complete fusion was observed in 12.5% and 16.1%, respectively. The estimated cumulative incidence of hardware failure was 4.2% (95% CI 1.5-9.3%). Increasing age predicted hardware failure (HR 1.2, p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Low rates of complete fusion and hardware failure were observed due to the high competing risk of death. Further prospective, case-control studies incorporating nonfusion instrumentation techniques may be warranted.

Predictors of overall survival in non-small-cell lung cancer patients with metastatic spinal cord compression treated with short-course radiotherapy

Metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) is a condition that impacts directly on the patient's prognosis.

OBJECTIVE

The study purpose was to identify predictors of overall survival in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with MSCC.

METHODS

A cohort study involving NSCLC patients enrolled between 2008 and 2017 was performed. Sixty-four patients treated with short-course radiotherapy were included. Clinical and socio-demographic data were extracted from medical records. Data were analysed using survival analysis and Cox proportional hazard regression analysis.

RESULTS

The median survival time was 2.5 months (95% CI: 1.6-3.5). Patients >60 years had shorter survival than younger patients (HR 1.85; 95% CI 1.06-3.24; p = 0.02), and patients with performance status (PS) >2 had shorter survival than those with PS≤2 (HR 1.93; 95% CI 1.12-3.33; p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

This study found worse PS and higher age are independent predictors of overall survival in NSCLC patients with MSCC treated with short-course radiotherapy after adjusting the potential confounding factors (PS, age and target therapy).

Perioperative mortality of metastatic spinal disease with unknown primary: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Spinal metastases are common in patients with malignancies, but studies on those metastasized from unknown primaries are scarce due to the difficulty in treatment and the relatively poor prognosis. Knowledge of surgical complications, particularly perioperative mortality, in patients with spinal metastases from unidentified sources is still insufficient.

CASE SUMMARY

A 54-year-old man with chest-back pain was diagnosed with spinal metastasis in the seventh thoracic vertebra (T7). Radiographic examinations, as well as needle biopsy and immunohistochemical tests were performed to verify the characteristics of the lesion, resulting in an inconclusive diagnosis of poorly differentiated cancer from an unknown primary lesion. Therefore, spinal surgery was performed using the posterior approach to relieve symptoms and verify the diagnosis. Postoperative histologic examination indicated that this poorly differentiated metastatic cancer was possibly sarcomatoid carcinoma. As the patient experienced unexpectedly fast progression of the disease and died 16 d after surgery, the origin of this metastasis was undetermined. We discuss this case with respect to reported perioperative mortality in similar cases.

CONCLUSION

A comprehensive assessment prior to surgical decision-making is essential to reduce perioperative mortality risk in patients with spinal metastases from an unknown origin.

Metastatic Spine Disease: Should Patients With Short Life Expectancy Be Denied Surgical Care? An International Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Despite our inability to accurately predict survival in many cancer patients, a life expectancy of at least 3 mo is historically necessary to be considered for surgical treatment of spinal metastases.

OBJECTIVE

To compare health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients surviving <3 mo after surgical treatment to patients surviving >3 mo to assess the validity of this inclusion criteria.

METHODS

Patients who underwent surgery for spinal metastases between August 2013 and May 2017 were retrospectively identified from an international cohort study. HRQOL was evaluated using generic and disease-specific outcome tools at baseline and at 6 and 12 wk postsurgery. The primary outcome was the HRQOL at 6 wk post-treatment measured by the Spine Oncology Study Group Outcomes Questionnaire (SOSGOQ).

RESULTS

A total of 253 patients were included: 40 patients died within the first 3 mo after surgery and 213 patients survived more than 3 mo. Patients surviving <3 mo after surgery presented with lower baseline performance status. Adjusted analyses for baseline performance status did not reveal a significant difference in HRQOL between both groups at 6 wk post-treatment. No significant difference in patient satisfaction at 6 wk with regard to their treatment could be detected between both groups.

CONCLUSION

When controlled for baseline performance status, quality of life 6 wk after surgery for spinal metastasis is independent of survival. To optimize improvement in HRQOL for this patient population, baseline performance status should take priority over expected survival in the surgical decision-making process.

Establishment and validation of nomogram model for survival predicting in patients with spinal metastases secondary to lung cancer

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the prognostic effect of pre-treatment factors in patients with spinal metastases secondary to lung cancer, and establish a novel predicting nomogram for predicting the survival probability.

METHODS

A total of 209 patients operated for spinal metastases from lung cancer were consecutively enrolled, and divided into the training and validation samples with a ratio of 7:3, for model establishing and validating, respectively. Basing on the training sample, univariate and multivariate COX proportional hazard models were used for identifying the prognostic effect of pre-treatment factors, following which significant prognostic factors would be listed as items in nomogram to calculate the survival probabilities at 3, 6, 12 and 18 months. Then, the C-indexes and the calibration curves would be figured out to evaluate the discrimination ability and accuracy of the model both for the training and validation samples.

RESULTS

In the multivariate COX analysis, the gender, smoking history, location of spinal metastasis, visceral metastasis, Karnofsky performance status (KPS), adjuvant therapy, lymphocyte percentage and globulin were found to be significantly associated with the overall survival, and a novel nomogram was generated basing on these independent predictors. The C-indexes for the training and validation samples were 0.761 and 0.732, respectively. Favorable consistencies between the predicted and actual survival rates were demonstrated both in the internal and external validations.

DISCUSSION

Pre-treatment characteristics, including gender, smoking history, location of spinal metastasis, visceral metastasis, KPS, adjuvant therapy, percentage of lymphocyte, and serum globulin level, were identified to be significantly associated with overall survival of patients living with spinal metastases derived from lung cancer, and a user-friendly nomogram was established using these independent predictors.

Revision surgery and mortality following complex spine surgery: 2-year follow-up in a prospective cohort of 679 patients using the Spine AdVerse Event Severity (SAVES) system

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective study.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the 2-year risk of revision surgery and all-cause mortality after complex spine surgery, and to assess if prospectively registered adverse events (AE) could predict either outcome. Revision surgery and mortality are serious complications to spine surgery. Previous studies of frequency have mainly been retrospective and few studies have employed competing risk survival analyses. In addition, assessment of predictors has focused on preoperative patient characteristics. The effect of perioperative AEs on revision and all-cause mortality risks are not fully understood.

METHODS

Between January 1 and December 31, 2013, we prospectively included all patients undergoing complex spine surgery at a single, tertiary institution. Complex spine surgery was defined as conditions deemed too complicated for surgery at a secondary institute, or patients with severe comorbidities requiring multidisciplinary observation and treatment. AEs were registered using the Spine Adverse Event Severity system and patients were followed for minimum 2 years regarding revision surgery and all-cause mortality. Incidences were estimated using competing risk survival analyses and correlation between AEs and either outcome was assessed using proportional odds models.

RESULTS

We included a complete and consecutive cohort of 679 adult and pediatric patients. Demographics, surgical data, AEs, and events of revision or all-cause mortality were registered. The cumulative incidence of 2-year all-cause revision was 19% (16-22%) and all-cause mortality was 15% (12-18%). Deformity surgery was the surgical category with highest incidence of revision and the highest incidence of all-cause mortality was seen in the tumor group. Across surgical categories, cumulative incidences of 2-year revision ranged between 11% (tumor) and 33% (deformity), whilst 2-year all-cause mortality ranged between 3% (deformity) and 33% (tumor). We found that major intraoperative AEs were associated to increased odds of revision. Deep wound infection was associated to increased odds of all-cause mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

We report the cumulative incidences of revision surgery and all-cause mortality following complex spine surgery. We found higher incidences of revision compared to previous retrospective studies. Prospectively registered AEs were correlated to increased odds of revision surgery and all-cause mortality. These results may serve as reference for future interventional studies and aid in identifying at-risk patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

I.

Scoring Algorithms for Predicting Survival Prognosis in Patients With Metastatic Spinal Disease: The Current Status and Future Directions

Various survival scoring systems have been developed to help surgeons select the best candidates for appropriate therapies in patients with metastatic spinal disease. This study aims to discuss the current status and future directions of scoring systems for the prediction of survival prognosis in these patients. The search terms "spine metastases," "metastatic spinal disease," and "metastatic spinal cord compression" were combined with "survival prognosis," "scoring system," and "score" to elicit relevant literatures in PubMed and Embase databases. As a result, 159 articles were selected from PubMed, and 246 articles were extracted from Embase. After reviewing each article, we carefully included and analyzed 74 articles about the development and evaluation of scoring systems for predicting survival prognosis in spine metastases. In this review, those scoring systems were stratified into the historic scoring systems and the modern scoring systems on the basis of the proposed time. The historic scoring systems, including the original/revised Tokuhashi scoring system, the Bauer scoring system, the Tomita scoring system, and the Linden scoring system, and the modern scoring systems, such as the Lei scoring system, the Bartels scoring system, the Mizumoto scoring system, the Bollen scoring system, the Rades scoring system, Oswestry Spinal Risk Index, and the Choi risk calculator, were introduced and discussed in this review. Besides, the clinical effectiveness and pitfalls of the existing systems and the future directions of the next generation of scoring systems were also addressed and discussed. We recommended these scoring systems as preferable reference tools to help doctors to select surgical candidates. In patients with long-term life expectancy, radical surgery, such as wide or marginal excision, can be considered in patients with neurological deficits, spine instability, or severe back pain. Besides, with the advancement and improvement of medical technologies, surgical procedures are changing, which can affect surgical indications such as vertebroplasty, minimal invasive surgery, and percutaneous stabilization, which can also be used in patients with spine instability or severe back pain, and do not require much recovery; hence, they can even be used in patients with relative short-term life expectancy. However, the decision about the treatment of patients with metastatic spinal disease is so complicated and should never rely on prognostic scores alone. The final therapeutic decision should be made by interdisciplinary corporations of oncologists, radiologists, and spinal surgeons. Besides, individual intentions should be respected.

Is Open Surgery for Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression Secondary to Lung Cancer Really Beneficial? A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

Spinal cord compression secondary to metastatic epidural lung cancer generally has a worse prognosis when compared with other metastatic tumors. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of open surgery on the survival time, ambulation status, and associated prognostic variables of these patients over the past 2 decades.

METHODS

We searched the PubMed, MEDLINE, and CENTRAL databases to identify patients with spinal cord compression secondary to metastatic lung cancer. We assessed the role of the following factors on survival outcome and ambulation recovery: Karnofsky Performance Scale, number of extraspinal bone metastases, number of metastases in the vertebrae, major internal organs involvement, vertebral location of spinal metastases, and neurologic status.

RESULTS

Our initial search yielded 367 articles, from which 11 studies met the eligibility criteria for a total of 395 patients. Significant correlations with the survival period and the recovery in ambulation were found in the prognostic score for the number of metastases in vertebrae (R = 0.74 and 0.88, respectively), and in the prognostic score for metastases to major internal organs (R = 0.82 and 0.81, respectively). A significant correlation with survival period was found in the numbers of extraspinal bone metastases (R = -0.82). The rates of major complications were comparable with those for open surgery for metastatic tumors of other origin.

CONCLUSIONS

Fewer vertebral metastases and less major internal organ involvement were associated with longer survival periods and greater ambulation recovery in patients undergoing open surgery for spinal cord compression secondary to metastatic lung cancer.

Advancing Roles of Healthcare Professionals in Palliative Radiotherapy

New methods of working in relation to the management of patients requiring palliative radiotherapy are being embraced in hospital departments around the world. Team members are expanding on their previously assigned scope of practice to take on duties that had previously only been assigned to a consultant clinical oncologist. Career frameworks such as the four-tier model have been built upon to identify the skills held by other healthcare professionals and show how they may be best placed to take on additional roles within a patient pathway. Experiences of four departments in different countries report their local experiences in using both therapeutic radiographers and nursing staff to undertake advanced and consultant-level practice in relation to the management of both palliative radiotherapy patients and their research work streams. Involvement of other healthcare professionals within the clinical or research pathway for the management of palliative radiotherapy patients can be achieved. Their involvement can support clinicians and help to ensure the safe and efficient management of patients requiring palliative radiotherapy.

Treatment Strategy for Metastatic Spinal Tumors: A Narrative Review

Metastatic spinal tumors are common, and their rising incidence can be attributed to the expanding aging population and increased survival rates among cancer patients. The decision-making process in the treatment of spinal metastasis requires a multidisciplinary approach that includes medical and radiation oncology, surgery, and rehabilitation. Various decision-making systems have been proposed in the literature in order to estimate survival and suggest appropriate treatment options for patients experiencing spinal metastasis. However, recent advances in treatment modalities for spinal metastasis, such as stereotactic radiosurgery and minimally invasive surgical techniques, have reshaped clinical practices concerning patients with spinal metastasis, making a demand for further improvements on current decision-making systems. In this review, recent improvements in treatment modalities and the evolution of decision-making systems for metastatic spinal tumors are discussed.

Prognostic Factors in the New Katagiri Scoring System After Palliative Surgery for Spinal Metastasis

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the study was to examine survival after surgery for a metastatic spinal tumor using prognostic factors in the new Katagiri score.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Surgery for spinal metastasis can improve quality of life and facilitate treatment of the primary cancer. However, choice of therapy requires identification of prognostic factors for survival, and these may change over time due to treatment advances. The new Katagiri score for the prognosis of skeletal metastasis includes classification of the primary tumor site and the effects of chemotherapy and hormonal therapy.

METHODS

The subjects were 201 patients (127 males, 74 females) who underwent surgery for spinal metastases at six facilities in the Nagoya Spine Group. Age at surgery, gender, follow-up, metastatic spine level, primary cancer, new Katagiri score (including primary site, visceral metastasis, laboratory data, performance status (PS), and chemotherapy) and survival were obtained from a prospectively maintained database.

RESULTS

Posterior decompression (n = 29) and posterior decompression and fixation with instrumentation (n = 182) were performed at a mean age of 65.9 (range, 16-85) years. Metastasis was present in the cervical (n = 19, 10%), thoracic (n = 155, 77%), and lumbar (n = 26, 13%) spine, and sacrum (n = 1, 1%). In multivariate analysis, moderate growth (HR 2.95, 95% CI, 1.27-7.89, P < 0.01) and rapid growth (HR 4.71, 95% CI, 2.78-12.31, P < 0.01) at the primary site; nodular metastasis (HR 1.53, 95% CI, 1.07-3.85, P < 0.01) and disseminated metastasis (HR 2.94, 95% CI, 1.33-5.42, P < 0.01); and critical laboratory data (HR 3.15, 95% CI, 2.06-8.36, P < 0.01), and poor PS (HR 2.83, 95% CI, 1.67-4.77, P < 0.01) were significantly associated with poor survival.

CONCLUSION

Accurate prognostic factors are important in deciding the treatment strategy in patients with spinal metastasis, and our identification of these factors may be useful for these patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

Evaluation of Elements Spine SRS Plan Quality for SRS and SBRT Treatment of Spine Metastases

Purpose: The Elements Spine Stereotactic Radiosurgery treatment planning system uses automated volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy that can provide a highly conformal dose distribution to targets, which can provide superior sparing of the spinal cord. This study compares the dosimetric quality of Elements plans with the clinical plans of 20 spine stereotactic radiosurgery/stereotactic body radiation therapy (SRS/SBRT) patients treated at our institution.

Methods: Twenty spine SRS/SBRT patients who were clinically treated at our institution were replanned using the automated Elements planning workflow with prespecified templates. Elements automatically evaluates the size and shape of the target to determine if splitting the PTV into simplistic subvolumes, each treated by their own arc(s), would increase conformity and spinal cord sparing. The conformity index, gradient index, PTV D_5%, and maximum and mean cord dose were evaluated for the Elements and clinical plans. Treatment delivery efficiency was also analyzed by comparing the total number of monitor units and the modulation factor. Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were performed on the statistics.

Results: Elements split the PTV for 50% of cases, requiring four or six arcs. Overall, Elements plans were found to be superior to clinical plans in conformity index, gradient index, and maximum cord dose. The PTV D_5% and cord mean dose for the Elements plans trended higher and lower, respectively. The numbers of monitor units and modulation factor were also higher for Elements plans, although the differences were not significant.

Conclusion: Automated Elements plans achieved superior conformity and cord dose sparing compared to clinical plans and PTV splitting successfully improved spinal cord sparing.

Patient reported upper gastro-intestinal symptoms associated with fractionated image-guided conformal radiotherapy for metastatic spinal cord compression

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Palliative radiotherapy is given to sustain or improve quality of life for patients with advanced cancer. Radiotherapy may however result in symptomatic side effects, which may affect the patient negatively. This prospective longitudinal study of 30 patients aimed at investigating the incidence and severity of early toxicity, particularly focusing on dysphagia, esophagitis and mucositis, following fractionated radiotherapy for cervical and thoracic metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC), as well as determining the relationship between esophageal dose and early upper gastro-intestinal symptoms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty patients receiving radiotherapy of 3Gyx10 for MSCC were included in the study. Patients were assessed for a total of 7 weeks from onset of radiotherapy using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) questionnaire. Upper gastro-intestinal symptoms and severity were assessed from the tenth and eleventh question section of the ESAS questionnaire of "other problems" and how much this affected them. The relationships between the mean and maximum esophageal doses and incidence of dysphagia, esophagitis or mucositis were estimated and dose response curves determined.

RESULTS

Eleven patients reported esophageal symptoms (average duration eleven days, range 1-18 days). Incidence of esophageal toxicity in patients treated at Th8 or above was 79 percent, while no patients treated below Th8 reported any symptoms (p < 0.001). Furthermore, 2 out of 3 patients irradiated at the cervical region reported substantial changes in taste sensation.Risk of symptoms correlated with both mean and maximum esophageal dose and may be a useful tool in planning radiotherapy for MSCC, potentially reducing early upper gastro-intestinal toxicity.

Instrumented surgical treatment for metastatic spinal tumors: is fusion necessary?

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to evaluate the radiographic and clinical results of instrumentation surgery without fusion for metastases to the spine.

METHODS

Between 2010 and 2017, patients with spinal tumors who underwent instrumentation without fusion surgery were consecutively evaluated. Preoperative and postoperative clinical data were evaluated. Data were inclusive for last follow-up and just prior to death if the patient died. Instrumentation-related complications included screw migration, screw or rod breakage, cage migration, and screw loosening.

RESULTS

Excluding patients who died within 6 months, a total of 136 patients (140 operations) were recruited. The average follow-up duration was 16.5 months (median 12.4 months). The pain visual analog scale score decreased from 6.4 to 2.5 (p < 0.001) and the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scale score improved (p < 0.001). There were only 3 cases (2.1%) of symptomatic instrumentation-related complications that resulted in revisions. There were 6 cases of nonsymptomatic complications. The most common complication was screw migration or pull-out (5 cases). There were 3 cases of screw or rod breakage and 1 case of cage migration. Two-thirds of the cases of instrumentation-related complications occurred after 6 months, with a mean postoperative period of 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study reported successful outcomes with very low complication rates after nonfusion surgery for patients with spinal metastases, even among those who survived for more than 6 months. More than half of the instrumentation-related complications were asymptomatic and did not require revision. The results suggest that nonfusion surgery might be sufficient for a majority of patients with spinal metastases.

Impact of decompressive laminectomy on the functional outcome of patients with metastatic spinal cord compression and neurological impairment

Metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) is a frequent phenomenon in advanced tumor diseases with often severe neurological impairments. Affected patients are often treated by decompressive laminectomy. To assess the impact of this procedure on Karnofsky Performance Index (KPI) and Frankel Grade (FG) at discharge, a single center retrospective cohort study of neurologically impaired MSCC-patients treated with decompressive laminectomy between 2004 and 2014 was performed. 101 patients (27 female/74 male; age 66.1 ± 11.5 years) were identified. Prostate was the most common primary tumor site (40%) and progressive disease was present in 74%. At admission, 80% of patients were non-ambulatory (FG A–C). Imaging revealed prevalently thoracic MSCC (78%). Emergency surgery (< 24 h) was performed in 71% and rates of complications and revision surgery were 6% and 4%, respectively. At discharge, FG had improved in 61% of cases, and 51% of patients had regained ambulation. Univariate predictors for not regaining the ability to walk were bowl dysfunction (p = 0.0015), KPI < 50% (p = 0.048) and FG < C (p = 0.001) prior to surgery. In conclusion, decompressive laminectomy showed beneficial effects on the functional outcome at discharge. A good neurological status prior to surgery was key predictor for a good functional outcome.

Remaining Systemic Treatment Options: A Valuable Predictor of Survival and Functional Outcomes after Surgical Treatment for Spinal Metastasis

Objectives

To evaluate survival and functional outcomes in surgically‐treated spinal metastasis patients and to identify the prognostic value of the remaining options for systemic treatment.

Methods

The current study reviewed 100 consecutive patients who received surgery for spinal metastasis in a single center from March 2012 to June 2016. The decision for surgery had been made in a weekly multidisciplinary tumor board after considering multiple factors. Among these factors, those associated with the functional outcome were identified using crosstab and logistic regression analyses. Survival analysis applying the Kaplan–Meier curve and the Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify factors associated with improved survival.

Results

Of the 100 patients, there were 62 men and 38 women, with a mean age of 60.4 years at the time of surgery. The median postoperative survival of the whole cohort was 16.2 months (95% confidence interval: 10.1–22.3). When patients were stratified by the functional outcome, a significantly large proportion of patients with good functional outcome (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status better than 3) had an available option for systemic treatment at the time of surgery (P < 0.001, Pearson χ²‐test). Logistic regression analysis found that the presence of remaining options for systemic treatment at the time of decision‐making for surgery was associated with improved postoperative functional performance status (P = 0.004, odds ratio = 7.59). Survival analysis also found that the availability of remaining options for systemic treatment was associated with improved survival (P = 0.001, hazard ratio = 0.22). This finding was statistically more significant in a group of patients with a low revised Tokuhashi score of 0 to 8 (P < 0.001) when compared to the group of patients with a high revised Tokuhashi score of 9 to 15 (P = 0.082).

Conclusions

Availability of remaining options for systemic treatment is an important factor to consider when deciding on surgical treatment for spinal metastasis.

Prognostic implication of gait function following treatment for spinal cord compression in men diagnosed with prostate cancer

Background: Malignant spinal cord compression (MSCC) is a severe complication of metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) and may compromise neurological functions, including gait function. This study aimed to evaluate the association between survival and gait function prior to, immediately after and 6 weeks following radiotherapy for MSCC in PCa patients.Patient sample: All PCa patients admitted with MSCC at Rigshospitalet, Denmark from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2011 were included. Patients were followed until death to analyze gait function as a prognostic factor.Methods: Of the 76 included patients, four patients underwent surgical decompression followed by radiotherapy and 72 patients received only radiotherapy. Gait was evaluated prior to radiotherapy, immediately after radiotherapy and at 6 weeks follow-up.Results: Before radiotherapy, 88% had normal gait function and 12% had complete loss of gait function. Corresponding percentages after radiotherapy were 72% and 28%, respectively. Median overall survival following MSCC was 4.9 months (95% CI = 3.6-6.2) with a 3-, 6-, and 12-months survival probability of 64%, 42%, and 21%, respectively. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that patients without gait function after radiotherapy had a 2.6-2.8-fold increased risk of dying compared to men with gait function. Patients with more than two vertebrae involved had a 2.3-3.4-fold increased risk of dying when compared to patients with 1-2 vertebral metastases.Conclusions: PCa patients with MSCC have a poor prognosis. Most likely reflecting differences in tumor burden, preserved gait function following radiotherapy is associated with better prognosis. Further prospective studies are required to confirm this association.

Effect of combined treatment including surgery and postoperative adjuvant therapy on spinal metastases of Tomita type 7

OBJECTIVES

Identify the efficacy of multidisciplinary treatment including palliative spinal surgery on patients with Tomita type 7 spinal metastases.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of surgery treated spinal metastatic patients from January 2013 to December 2016 in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital were performed. Surgical procedures and intraoperative parameters and postoperative adjuvent treatments were studied. Patients' demographic characteristics and medical conditions including paralysis statues, quality of life and pain levels and postoperative survival time were identified.

RESULTS

50 patients were identified with mean age at the time of surgery of 57.68 years old (range 27-78 years). The mean Tokuhashi score was 8.48 and the spinal instability neoplastic score (SINS) averaged at 10.52 points. 48 patients (96%) encountered epidural spinal cord compression. Kaplan-Meier method determined median postoperative survival time was 12.00 months (95% CI: 7.05-16.95 months). The mean score of visual analogue scale (VAS) decreased from 7.66 preoperatively to 1.96 postoperatively. The Frankel scale was improved by at least one grade in 47 patients. Patient's quality of life showed significant improvements.

CONCLUSION

Multidisciplinary treatment including palliative spinal surgery was associated with alleviating pain, improving neurologic function and quality of life in patients with Tomita type 7 spinal metastases.

The Role of Prognostic Scoring Systems in Assessing Surgical Candidacy for Patients With Vertebral Metastasis: A Narrative Review

STUDY DESIGN

Narrative review.

OBJECTIVES

To review the relevant literature regarding scoring systems for vertebral metastases and quantify their role in contemporary orthopedic practice.

METHODS

A literature search of PubMed, Google Scholar, and Embase was performed on February 7, 2017. Eight scoring systems were selected for detailed review-7 of which were scores focused solely on patient prognosis (Tokuhashi, Tomita, Bauer, Oswestry Spinal Risk Index, Van der Linden, Rades, and Katagiri). The eighth system reviewed was the Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score, which examines for impending spinal instability in patients with vertebral metastases and represents a novel approach compared with hitherto scoring systems.

RESULTS

The Bauer and Oswestry Spinal Risk Index have the most accurate prognostic predictive ability, with the newer Oswestry Spinal Risk Index being favored by the contemporary literature as it demands less investigation and is therefore more readily accessible. There was a growing trend in studies designed to customize scoring systems for individual cancer pathological subtypes. The Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score shows good reliability for predicting instability among surgeons and oncologists.

CONCLUSIONS

The increased understanding of cancer pathology and subsequent development of customized treatments has led to prolonged survival. For patients with vertebral metastases, this affects surgical candidacy not only on the basis of prognosis but also provides prolonged opportunity for the development of spinal instability. Scoring systems have a useful guidance role in these deciding for/against surgical intervention, but in order to remain contemporary ongoing review, development, and revalidation is mandatory.

Prognostic factors in patients with metastatic spine tumors derived from lung cancer-a novel scoring system for predicting life expectancy

BACKGROUND

Recently, molecule-targeting and bone-modifying agents have improved the treatment outcomes of lung cancer-derived metastatic spine tumors. Therefore, the prognostic factors for such tumors were examined, and novel scoring systems for predicting the life expectancy of patients with such tumors were proposed.

METHODS

In 207 patients with lung cancer-derived metastatic spine tumors (surgery 49; conservative therapy 158), we retrospectively examined the factors that influenced the post-treatment survival time (age, sex, the affected site, pathology, general condition, the number of extraspinal bone metastases, the number of spinal metastases, the presence/absence of major internal organ metastasis, paralysis state, the total Tokuhashi score, the serum alkaline phosphatase level, the serum carcinoembryonic antigen level, molecule-targeting drug treatment, and bone-modifying agent treatment). Based on the results, we devised novel scoring systems for predicting the prognosis of such patients.

RESULTS

Univariate analyses showed that the pathology of the primary lung tumor, the patient's general condition and paralysis state, and the presence/absence of molecule-targeting drug treatment significantly influenced survival. We performed a Cox regression analysis of these four factors and developed criteria for a novel scoring system based on the patient's general condition and paralysis state, which exhibited significance in the regression analysis. A retrospective review indicated that the consistency rate between predicted life expectancy and actual survival was 67.3%. When criteria based on the four factors that exhibited significance in the univariate analyses were adopted, the consistency rate was 76.2%.

CONCLUSION

The patient's general condition and paralysis state, the pathology of the primary lung tumor, and molecule-targeting drug treatment influenced survival among patients with lung cancer-derived metastatic spine tumors. Novel scoring systems based on these four factors were proposed.

The influence on survival of glucocorticoid induced diabetes in cancer patients with metastatic spinal cord compression

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The influence of glucocorticoid induced hyperglycemia on survival in patients with metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) is unknown.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a prospective, observational cohort study 131 patients with MSCC referred to radiotherapy, 30 Gray (Gy) in 10 fractions, and treated with ≥100 mg prednisolone a day were followed with daily blood glucose measurements during radiotherapy.

RESULTS

During follow-up a total of 56 patients 43% (95% CI = 35-52%) presented plasma glucose values diagnostic of diabetes. Sixteen patients who developed diabetes were treated with insulin, 12% (95% CI = [6%; 18%]) of the total population. The patients developing diabetes with need for insulin therapy during glucocorticoid therapy had a significantly increased mortality compared to those with normal glucose metabolism and with diabetes without need for therapy, hazard ratio = 2.1 (95% CI = 1.08-4.09, p = 0.0285).

DISCUSSION

To our knowledge this is the first prospective study to describe the influence of glucocorticoid induced diabetes on survival in patients with MSCC from different primary tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that development of diabetes during high-dose glucocorticoid therapy needing insulin treatment in patients with MSCC from different primary tumors is associated with reduced survival.

Treatment outcomes of patients with spinal metastases derived from hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) used to be poor, but it has recently improved, which has meant that clinicians have greater opportunity to treat spinal metastases and the associated epidural spinal cord compression. However, there have been few systematic functional studies about HCC-derived spinal metastases. The treatment outcomes of surgical treatment for HCC-derived metastatic spinal tumors were investigated.

METHODS

The post-treatment survival period and pain, paralysis, and disturbance of activities of daily living (ADL) were investigated in 60 patients (surgery 25, conservative treatment 35).

RESULTS

The mean post-treatment survival period was 7.4 ± 8.2 months (range 0.3-36 months). Univariate analysis indicated that the following factors influenced survival: the patient's general condition, presence/absence of major internal organ metastasis, serum albumin level, Child-Pugh classification, surgical treatment for spinal metastasis, and bone-modifying agent treatment. In the multivariate analysis of these 6 items, 3 significant factors were extracted: the patient's general condition, the serum albumin level, and bone-modifying agent treatment. Pain significantly improved in both groups (p < 0.001). Paralysis did not change significantly in the surgical group (p = 0.575), but it was significantly aggravated in the conservative treatment group (p = 0.047). The ADL abilities of the surgical group improved significantly (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Most patients exhibited poor survival. In the conservative treatment group, paralysis was significantly aggravated, and little improvement was seen in the patients' ADL abilities. In the surgical group, the patients' ADL abilities improved significantly, but their paralysis did not. Therefore, surgery should be actively performed for HCC-derived spinal metastasis whenever it is indicated.

Evaluation of Prognostic Factors and Proposed Changes to the Modified Tokuhashi Score in Patients With Spinal Metastases From Breast Cancer

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective study of all patients with histologically confirmed breast cancer spinal metastases presenting to a single institution between May 2001 and April 2012.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the 2014mT is more accurate than the 2005mT.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

The commonly used 2005 modified Tokuhashi score (2005mT) has become more inaccurate as oncologists move toward treating tumors according to their molecular and genomic profile, rather than their tissue-of-origin. In attempts to improve the accuracy of the 2005mT, a revised score (2014mT) was published, suggesting that hormone receptor negative and triple-negative breast cancer patients be given a modified Tokuhashi histological score of 3 rather than 5.

METHODS

Demographic characteristics, tumor receptor status, clinical findings in relation to the primary tumor and its metastases, and actual survival time were collated. The 2005mT was compared with the 2014mT. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate the influence of each parameter on survival, and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to determine predictive values of each score version.

RESULTS

Of the 185 patients included, 32 underwent operative treatment, while 153 were managed nonoperatively for their spinal metastases. The overall cohort had a median survival time of 24 months following the diagnosis of spinal metastases, with a 6-month survival rate of 90%. Hormone, HER2 and triple-negative receptor statuses were significant predictors of poorer survival upon multivariate analysis (P = 0.004, P = 0.007, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively). Age, the original Tokuhashi score components, previous breast surgery for cancer, previous radiotherapy to the breast, previous radiotherapy to the spine, previous chemotherapy, and previous immunotherapy were not significant. At 6 months, the 2005mT AUROC was 0.62, while that of the 2014mT was 0.64 (P = 0.5394).

CONCLUSION

Tumor histological subtype is crucial when prognosticating the survival of patients with breast cancer spinal metastases. Although the 2014mT was marginally more accurate than the 2005mT, its predictive ability remains poor.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

The Influence of Histologic Subtype in Predicting Survival of Lung Cancer Patients With Spinal Metastases

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective analysis.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Recent advancements in systemic treatment of lung cancer have significantly improved the survival of patients with certain histolopathologic and molecular subtypes. Existing prognostic scores do not account for this and patients with lung cancer spinal metastases are grouped together as poor prognostic candidates, and consequently, some may be inappropriately denied palliative spine surgery.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to study whether the expected survival in patients with lung cancer spinal metastases is affected by histolopathologic and molecular subtypes in the context of modern systemic therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed all patients with histologically confirmed lung cancer treated for spinal metastases at our institution between 2001 and 2012. Patients' demographics, histopathologic details, treatment modalities, and survival data were collected. The primary outcome was survival from time of spinal metastases diagnosis. The Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the influence of tumor histology, molecular profile and treatment modality on survival. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was conducted to compare lung cancer subtypes, as well as various treatment regimens.

RESULTS

Out of 180 patients, 51 underwent surgery for spinal metastases. Female sex (P=0.019), absence of palsy (P=0.023), good Karnofsky performance scores (P<0.001), and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (P=0.002) were favorable prognostic factors. Patients who received systemic therapy, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors, platinum doublet chemotherapy, or both showed increased survival (P<0.01). The median survival time was 2.40 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 2.13-2.68] in the small cell lung cancer cohort, with no patients surviving past a year; 5.10 months (95% CI, 3.78-6.41) in the NSCLC cohort, with 25.9% 1-year survival; and 13.3 months (95% CI, 2.26-24.40) in adenocarcinoma patients who received both tyrosine kinase inhibitors and platinum doublet therapy, with 50.0% 1-year survival.

CONCLUSIONS

NSCLC, systemic therapy, female sex, absence of palsy and good Karnofsky performance scores are all independent favorable prognostic factors for patients with lung cancer spinal metastases. These should be routinely considered during prognostication.

A revision of the Tokuhashi revised score improves the prognostic ability in patients with metastatic spinal cord compression

PURPOSE

The Tokuhashi revised score from 2005 (TR2005) is the most recommended prognostic scoring system in patients with metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC). However, recent studies have questioned its prognostic ability and the need for a new revision has been proposed. We aimed to assess whether a revision of the TR2005 can improve the prognostic ability of the scoring system.

METHODS

In 2011 and 2012, a total of 1143 consecutive patients admitted with MSCC were prospectively included in a 2011 and a 2012 cohort. For the patients admitted in 2011 (n = 544), the components of the TR2005 including primary cancer diagnosis were analyzed regarding the prognostic ability. Based on these findings, a revision of the TR2005 score was defined as the Tokuhashi revised score 2017 (TR2017). The prognostic abilities of the TR2005 and the TR2017 were compared by Kaplan Meyer (KM) curves, and receiver-operating characteristics' (ROC) analysis was compared in a cohort of patients admitted in 2012 (n = 599).

RESULTS

KM curves and ROC analysis showed that the TR2017 had better prognostic ability compared to the TR2005. The ROC areas were as follows: <6-months survival, TR2017 = 0.71 and TR2005 = 0.65, and p = 0.003; for ≥6-month survival, TR2017 = 0.71 and TR2005 = 0.65, and p = 0.003; for ≥12-month survival TR2017 = 0.72 and TR2005 = 0.67, and p = 0.0015.

CONCLUSIONS

The TR2017 can improve the prognostic ability of the TR2005 in patients with MSCC. This could affect the preoperative evaluation of patients suffering from MSCC.

Decision Making for the Surgical Treatment of Vertebral Metastases Among Patients with Short Predicted Survival

BACKGROUND

A wide spectrum of treatment choices is proposed for poor-prognosis patients with vertebral metastases. The continuous increase of this population and the propagation of less invasive techniques necessitate further study concerning which patients could benefit from palliative surgery.

METHODS

All patients with a Tokuhashi score ≤8 who had undergone palliative surgical treatment for vertebral metastasis within 4 years were retrospectively reviewed. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and data concerning the disease and the operation were recorded. Patients were assessed on discharge and at 2 months concerning eventual benefit from surgery, based on pain measurements, motor function (Frankel grade), spinal stability assessment, and complications. Statistical analysis was performed to detect possible interrelations.

RESULTS

Eighty-eight patients were reviewed. The average age was 56.5 years. The mean Tokuhashi score was 5.9, and the mean Karnofsky score was 56.4. Thirty-six patients experienced immediate improvement, 12 were lost to follow-up, and 42 were found to have benefited from surgery 2 months later. High Karnofsky score, radicular pain, morphine use, absence of complications, and immediate improvement predicted benefit from surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Decision making for a patient with poor prognosis concerning eventual surgery for a vertebral metastasis should be based mainly on the patient's clinical presentation; the primary cancer site is of less importance.

Classification and scoring systems for metastatic spine tumors: a literature review

Introduction

Accurate evaluation of metastasis and life prognosis is essential for selecting a suitable therapeutic strategy for metastatic spine tumors owing to limitations in treatment options. For this purpose, various classification, evaluation, and scoring systems have been developed.

Methods

Classification, evaluation, and scoring systems for metastatic spine tumors reported to date were identified by performing a literature search on PubMed. We reviewed the most cited classifications and scorings before 2009, and all classifications and scorings reported after 2010 from the search results.

Results

Six classifications and 23 scorings were reviewed. The classification/evaluation methods are divided into 1) anatomical classification/evaluation methods, 2) evaluation methods for neurological symptoms/instability, and 3) scoring systems for predicting life expectancy. The first 2 were useful for the planning and evaluation of surgical indications. Scoring systems for life prognosis also permitted rough prediction of the outcomes and were useful for the selection of a suitable treatment. However, variation of the patient background, diversity of adopted prognostic factors, and the absence of scoring systems that could predict the outcome with an accuracy of 90% or higher introduced some limitations.

Conclusion

The identified classification, evaluation, and scoring systems have been generally useful for treatment strategies. However, we emphasize the necessity of multidisciplinary development and revision of classification and evaluation methods to adapt to the prolongation of survival associated with increased diversity and improvement of treatment options.

Treatment Outcome of Metastatic Spine Tumor in Lung Cancer Patients: Did the Treatments Improve Their Outcomes?

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective, single-center study.

OBJECTIVE

Investigation of the changes in the treatment outcomes of patients with lung cancer derived metastatic spine tumors.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Metastatic spine tumors derived from lung cancer had been progressive, and their prognosis is poor. It has recently been reported that the use of molecularly targeted drugs and bone-modifying agents (BMAs) improved the treatment outcomes of patients with lung cancer, but no detailed information about the treatment of metastatic spine tumors has been reported.

METHODS

Two hundred seven patients with lung cancer derived metastatic spine tumors who were examined after 2000 were analyzed. They were divided into 54 patients who were treated in or before 2005 (surgical treatment: 25 patients, conservative treatment: 29 patients) (group B) and 153 patients who were treated from 2006 onwards, when a molecularly targeted drug and BMA were introduced (surgical treatment: 24, conservative treatment: 129) (group A), and the treatment outcomes of the two groups were compared.

RESULTS

Significant differences in age and the affected vertebral level, paralysis grade, and Tokuhashi score (general condition, the number of vertebral metastases, and the total score) were detected between the groups. Regarding treatment outcomes, the mean duration of the post-treatment survival period was 5.1 and 9.3 months in groups B and A, respectively, that is, it was significantly longer in group A (P < 0.05). No significant intergroup difference in pain improvement was noted, and no significant post-treatment improvement in paralysis was achieved in either group. The post-treatment discharge-to-home eligibility rate did not differ significantly between the groups, but the Barthel Index improved significantly after treatment in group A (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

After molecularly targeted drugs and BMA were introduced as treatments for lung cancer derived metastatic spine tumors, the survival periods of patients with such tumors increased, and their activity of daily living after treatment improved.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4.

Health-related Quality of Life in Patients with Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression

OBJECTIVE

Improvements in cancer treatment have resulted in an increased number of patients with metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC). Because patients with MSCC often have a limited expected survival time, maintenance of a high functional level and quality of life are important. However, there is limited information about health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with MSCC. The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of routine assessment of HRQoL based on the Euroqol-5 dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaire in a cohort of patients consecutively admitted for evaluation of acute symptoms of MSCC.

METHODS

From 1 January to 31 December 2011, 544 patients diagnosed with acute symptoms of MSCC were consecutively enrolled in a cohort study. All patients were evaluated through a centralized referral system at one treatment facility. Data were prospectively registered, the variables age, sex, primary oncologic diagnosis, Tokuhashi Revised score, EQ-5D score and treatment modality being recorded on admission. The study patients were treated conservatively with radiotherapy alone or with surgery and subsequent radiotherapy. The EQ-5D questionnaire was administered on admission (baseline) and 6, 12, 26 and 52 weeks after admission. Response rates, completion rates and HRQoL scores were analyzed by relevant subgroups. Response rates were based on all questionnaires returned regardless of whether or not they had been completed, whereas completion rates were based on fully completed questionnaires (i.e., containing responses to all five questions.

RESULTS

The mean age was 65 years (range, 20-95 years); 57% of the patients were men. The overall response rate to the Euroqol-5 dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaires was 84% and the overall completion rate 72%. At baseline, mean EQ-5D scores were significantly lower for patients treated with surgery and subsequent radiotherapy 0.28 (95% CI, 0.19-0.36) than for those treated with radiotherapy alone 0.42 (95% CI, 0.38-0.46). At the one-year follow-up, the mean EQ-5D scores had improved to 0.71 (95% CI, 0.64-0.77) for patients treated with surgery and subsequent radiotherapy and 0.63 (95% CI, 0.56-0.70) for patients treated with radiotherapy alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Measurement of HRQoL in patients consecutively admitted for evaluation of acute symptoms of MSCC is feasible and detects significant changes over time between treatment modalities and different strata of expected survival.

Evaluation of the relevance of surgery in a retrospective case series of patients who underwent the surgical treatment of a symptomatic spine metastasis from lung cancer

BACKGROUND

The management of spine metastases is an increasing concern for spine surgeons. When considering surgery, it is crucial to ensure that its iatrogenic effects will not exceed its potential benefits, particularly in frail patients with short life expectancy. Among all prognostic factors, the primary site of cancer is the most important, lung cancer being the poorest. Although surgery has shown its effectiveness in the management of spine metastases, there is a lack of studies focusing on lung cancer alone.

PURPOSE

To assess the effectiveness and safety of surgery in the management of symptomatic spine metastases from lung cancer.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed all patients (n = 53) who underwent surgery for spine metastasis from lung cancer at the Lille University Hospital between January 2005 and December 2011. Patients for whom surgery was effective to restore or preserve ambulation, to relieve pain, and to ensure stability without severe complication were considered "surgical success".

RESULTS

No patient was lost to follow-up and vital status data were available for all patients. The median survival was 2.1 months and was not influenced by the surgical success (p = 0.1766). We reported seven major complications in seven patients, including three epidural haematoma, two massive pulmonary embolisms and two deaths from cardiopulmonary failure. The surgical success rate was 49 % and on univariate analysis, the factors that have influenced the postoperative outcome were the KPS (p < 0.001), the Frankel grade (p = 0.0217) and the delay between the cancer diagnosis and the occurrence of spine metastases (p = 0.0216).

CONCLUSION

A strict patient selection is required to limit the iatrogenic effect of surgery, which may alter the quality of life of these frail patients with limited life expectancy.

Evaluation of Scoring Systems and Prognostic Factors in Patients With Spinal Metastases From Lung Cancer

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective study of 180 patients with lung cancer spinal metastases, wherein prognostic score-predicted survival was compared with actual survival.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate and compare the accuracy of prognostic scoring systems in lung cancer spinal metastases.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

The modified Tokuhashi, Tomita, modified Bauer, and Oswestry scores are currently used to guide decisions regarding operative treatment of patients with spinal metastases. The best system for predicting survival in patients with lung cancer spinal metastases remains undetermined. The high incidence of spinal metastases from lung cancer and improved survival of patients treated with systemic therapy warrants evaluation of these scoring systems in this particular context.

METHODS

Patients with lung cancer spinal metastases treated at our institution between May 2001 and August 2012 were studied. Fifty-one patients were treated surgically. The primary outcome measure was survival from the time of diagnosis. Scoring-predicted survival was compared with actual survival. Potential prognostic factors were investigated using Cox regression analyses. Predictive values of each scoring system for 3- and 6-month survival were measured via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

RESULTS

Histological subtype (P = 0.015), sex (P = 0.001), Karnofsky performance scale (P = 0.001), extent of neurological palsy (P = 0.002), and visceral metastases (P = 0.037) are significant predictors of survival. Besides the Oswestry spinal risk index, no significant differences were found between different prognostic subgroups within the individual scoring systems. Although the modified Bauer score was most accurate, all four scoring systems had areas under the ROC curve 0.5 or less.

CONCLUSION

Although better prognostic scores correlated with longer survival, all four scoring systems are inaccurate in prognosticating patients with lung cancer spinal metastases. Specific lung cancer histology appears prognostic and should be considered, especially given the increased survival of patients receiving new targeted therapies appropriate to their disease.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

Survival and clinical outcomes in patients with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression after spinal surgery: a prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study

Background

High quality studies have been challenging to undertake in patients with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression. Nonetheless, in the article “Survival and Clinical Outcomes in Surgically Treated Patients With Metastatic Epidural Spinal Cord Compression: Results of the Prospective Multicenter AOSpine Study” recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, our team provided convincing evidence that spinal surgery improves overall quality of life in patients with this potentially devastating complication of cancer. Considering that metastatic spinal lesions treated with surgery have the highest mean cost among all oncological musculo-skeletal issues, it is essential to provide high quality data to optimize the therapeutic approaches and cost-effective use of health care resources.

Main body

Although the AOSpine Study provided high quality prospective data, it was primarily limited by the lack of non-operative controls and the relatively small sample size. Given the dearth of medical equipoise and the fundamental difference between patients deemed to be adequate surgical candidates and those who are not amenable to operative intervention, conducting a randomized controlled trial in this patient population was not felt to be ethically or medically feasible. Consequently, the optimal option to overcome limitations of both the lack of controls and the relatively small sample size is through collection of large prospective datasets through rigorously developed and maintained registries.

Conclusions

With the alarming increase in the incidence of cancer in China and China’s parallel growing cancer control efforts, China would offer a fantastic platform to set up a national metastatic spinal lesion registry. Such registry would not only enhance metastatic epidural spinal cord compression translational research but also optimize patient care.

Surgical results of metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): analysis of functional outcome, survival time, and complication

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

A number of studies have reported favorable surgical results for metastatic spinal tumors from various solid tumors. However, there are few data available on metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) from lung cancer despite its considerable frequency.

PURPOSE

The study aims to present the functional outcomes, survival time, and complications after surgical treatment for MSCC from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING

This is a longitudinal observational study.

PATIENT SAMPLE

The study includes 50 patients who had neurologic deficit and underwent surgical treatment for MSCC from NSCLC.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG-PS), ambulatory status, overall survival, factors associated with survival time, and perioperative complications were analyzed.

METHODS

The postoperative changes of ECOG-PS and ambulatory status were assessed. The factors affecting postoperative ambulatory status were evaluated using logistic regression analysis. Survival time was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. To identify the prognostic factors, log-rank test and Cox hazards regression model were used for univariate and multivariate analyses, respectively. Major complications within postoperative 30 days and mortality rate were recorded.

RESULTS

The study cohort consisted of 27 males and 23 females with a mean age of 58.0±11.3 years at the time of surgery. An ECOG-PS improvement by at least one grade was observed in 33 of 50 cases (66.0%). Among 39 patients who were not ambulatory before surgery, 23 patients (59.0%) regained ambulatory ability after surgery. Patients who were preoperatively ambulant and those who underwent surgery within 72 hours from neurologic deficit had an increased chance of postoperative ambulation. The median for overall survival after surgery was 5.2 months. Five prognostic factors were identified on univariate analysis: time from neurologic deficit, responsiveness to preoperative chemotherapy, postoperative chemotherapy, postoperative ECOG-PS, and postoperative ambulatory status. Multivariate analysis revealed that time to neurologic deficit (risk ratio [RR]: 2.28, p=.023), postoperative chemotherapy (RR: 6.58, p<.001), and postoperative ECOG-PS (RR: 2.73, p=.040) were independent prognostic factors of survival time. Major complications developed in 34.0% of patients (17 of 50), and the 30-day mortality rate was 10.0% (5 of 50).

CONCLUSIONS

Functional improvements were observed through surgical treatment even with relatively high complication rates for MSCC from NSCLC. Earlier surgical treatment could act as an adjuvant therapy for prolonging survival by improving functional status.