Factors affecting functional outcome in patients with intramedullary spinal cord tumors: results from a literature analysis

Effect of race, sex, and socioeconomic factors on overall survival following the resection of intramedullary spinal cord tumors

INTRODUCTION

Intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IMSCTs) account for 2-4% of all primary CNS tumors. Given their low prevalence and the intricacy of their diagnosis and management, it is critical to address the surrounding racial and socioeconomic factors that impact the care of patients with IMSCTs. This study aimed to investigate the association between race and socioeconomic factors with overall 5 year mortality following the resection of IMSCTs.

METHODS

The study used the National Cancer Database to retrospectively analyze patients who underwent resection of IMSCTs from 2004 to 2017. Patients were divided into four cohorts by race/ethnicity, facility type, insurance, median income quartiles, and living area. The primary outcome of interest was 5 year survival, and secondary outcomes included postoperative length of stay and 30 day readmission. Descriptive and multivariable analyses were used to identify independent factors associated with mortality, with statistical significance assessed at a 2-sided p < 0.05.

RESULTS

We evaluated the patient characteristics and outcomes for 8,028 patients who underwent surgical treatment for IMSCTs between 2004 and 2017. Most patients were white males (52.4%) with a mean age of 44 years where 7.17% of patients were Black, 7.6% were Hispanic, and 3% were Asian. Most were treated in an academic/research program (72.4%) and had private insurance (69.2%). Black patients had a higher odd of 5 year mortality (OR 1.4; 95% CI 1.1 to 1.77; p = 0.04) compared to white patients, while no significant differences in mortality were observed among other races. Factors associated with lower odds of mortality included being female (OR 0.89; 95% CI 0.78 to 1.02; p < 0.01), receiving treatment in an academic/research program (OR 0.51; 95% CI 0.33 to 0.79; p = 0.04), having private insurance (OR 0.65; 95% CI 0.45 to 0.93; p = 0.02), and having higher income quartiles (OR 0.77; 95% CI 0.62 to 0.96; p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Our study sheds light on the healthcare disparities that exist in the surgical management of IMSCTs. Our findings indicate that race, sex, socioeconomic status, and treatment facility are independent predictors of 5 year mortality, with Black patients, males, those with lower socioeconomic status, and those treated at non-academic centers experiencing significantly higher mortality rates. These alarming disparities underscore the urgent need for policymakers and researchers to address the underlying factors contributing to these discrepancies and provide equal access to high-quality surgical care for patients with IMSCTs.

Outcomes of Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumor Surgery in Older Versus Younger Adults: A Multicenter Subanalysis Study by the Neurospinal Society of Japan

OBJECTIVE

Intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IMSCTs) are uncommon and difficult to treat. Studies examining the efficacy of rare IMSCT surgery in the elderly are limited. We conducted a subanalysis using multicenter retrospective-historical data provided by the Japan Neurospinal Society to compare surgical outcomes between older and younger adults with IMSCTs.

METHODS

We classified patients with IMSCTs into younger (aged 18-64 years) or older ( ≥ 65 years) groups. The primary outcomes of "improved" or "worsened" from the preoperative period to 6 months after surgery were evaluated using the modified McCormick scale (mMCs). A favorable outcome was defined as an mMCs grade of I/II at 6 months.

RESULTS

Among 841 patients registered, there were 658 younger (78.2%) and 183 older patients (21.8%) evaluated using mMCs at 6 months. Median preoperative mMCs grades were significantly worse in older patients than in younger patients. Neither the "improved" nor "worsened" rate differed significantly between the groups (28.1% vs. 25.1%; crude odds ratio [cOR], 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59-1.25; adjusted OR [aOR], 0.84; 95% CI, 0.55-1.28; 16.9% vs. 23.0%; cOR, 1.47; 95% CI, 0.98-2.20; aOR, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.83-1.97). Favorable outcomes were significantly less common among older adults in the univariate analysis but were not significant in the multivariate analysis (66.4% vs. 53.0%; cOR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.41-0.80; aOR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.50-1.19). In both younger and older patients, preoperative mMCs accurately predicted favorable outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Age alone is not a sufficient reason to prohibit surgery for IMSCTs.

Complete Versus Incomplete Surgical Resection in Intramedullary Astrocytoma: Systematic Review with Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic reviewBackground: Considering the infiltrative nature of intramedullary astrocytoma, the goal of surgery is to have a better patient related outcome.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the overall survival (OS) and neurologic outcomes of complete vs incomplete surgical resection for patients with intramedullary astrocytoma.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of MEDLINE, CENTRAL and EMBASE was conducted by two independent reviewers. Individual patient data (IPD) analysis and multivariate Cox Proportional Hazard Model was developed to measure the effect of surgical strategies on OS, post-operative neurological improvement (PNI), and neurological improvement in the last follow up (FNI).

RESULTS

We included 1079 patients from 35 studies. Individual patient data of 228 patients (13 articles) was incorporated into the integrative IPD analysis. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed complete resection (CR) significantly improved OS in comparison with the incomplete resection (IR) (log-rank test, P = .004). In the multivariate IPD analysis, three prognostic factors had significant effect on the OS: (1) Extent of Resection, (2) pathology grade, and (3) adjuvant therapy. We observed an upward trend in the popularity of chemotherapy, but CR, IR, and radiotherapy had relatively stable trends during three decades.

CONCLUSION

Our study shows that CR can improve OS when compared to IR. Patients with spinal cord astrocytoma undergoing CR had similar PNI and FNI compared to IR. Therefore, CR should be the primary goal of surgery, but intraoperative decisions on the extent of resection should be relied on to prevent neurologic adverse events. Due to significant effect of adjuvant therapy on OS, PNI and FNI, it could be considered as the routine treatment strategy for spinal cord astrocytoma.

Risk factors for prolonged length of stay in patients undergoing surgery for intramedullary spinal cord tumors

Primary spine tumors are rare neoplasms that affect about 0.62 per 100,000 individuals in the US. Intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IMSCTs) are the rarest of all primary tumors involving the spine and can cause pain, imbalance, urinary dysfunction and neurological deficits. These types of tumors oftentimes necessitate surgical treatment, yet there is a lack of data on hospital length of stay and complication rates following treatment. Given that treatment candidacy, quality of life, and outcomes are tied so closely to potential for prolonged length of stay and postoperative complications, it is important to better understand the factors that increase the risk of these outcomes in patients with IMSCTs.

METHODS

The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was queried for all patients undergoing surgery for treatment of intramedullary spinal cord tumors between 2005 and 2017. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to assess patient risk factors influencing prolonged length of stay and post-op complications.

RESULTS

A total of 638 patients were included in the analysis. Pre-operative American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) physical status classification of 3 and above (OR 1.89; p = 0.0005), dependent functional status (OR 2.76; p = 0.0035) and transfer from facilities other than home (OR 8.12; p <0.0001) were independent predictors of prolonged length of stay (>5 days). The most commonly reported complications were pneumonia (5.7%), urinary tract infection (9.4%), septic shock (3.8%), superficial incisional infection (5.7%), organ or space infection (5.7%), pulmonary embolism (11.3%), DVT requiring therapy (15.1%) and wound dehiscence (5.7%).

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated the significant influence of clinical variables on prolonged hospitalization of IMSCT patients. This should be factored into clinical and surgical decision making and when counseling patients of their expected outcomes.

Surgical and Radiologic Prognostic Factors in Intramedullary Spinal Cord Lesions

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to perform a comprehensive data analysis of 47 consecutive patients treated in 8 years and to observe how clinical, radiologic, and surgical factors affect early and long-term outcomes, recurrence rate, and survival.

METHODS

Clinical, radiologic, and surgical data were collected retrospectively from the review of a prospectively collected database. The neurologic disability was evaluated according to the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Radiologic data were obtained by direct measurement performed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Univariate and multivariate statistical analysis was performed.

RESULTS

From 2008 to 2016, 47 consecutive patients underwent microsurgical resection of intramedullary lesions (28 males and 19 females; mean age, 41.2 years). Ependymoma (53.2%), astrocytoma (14.9%), hemangioblastoma (14.9%), and cavernous angioma (6.4%) were the most frequent tumor histology. The mean follow-up duration was 69.3 months. Gross total tumor resection was performed in 80.8% of cases. Forty-two patients (89.4%) were alive at last follow-up. Five-year overall survival and recurrence-free survival were 92% and 82%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Among the examined variables, age seemed to strongly correlate with outcomes; better chances of recovery and a good postoperative outcome were observed in younger patients. Surfacing lesions had a better early functional outcome than did intramedullary located lesions. Patients' preoperative neurologic and functional status (mRS score ≤2) had a significant impact on late neurologic outcome. Progression-free survival correlated with the extent of tumor resection. Surgery should probably be performed before patients' neurologic decline, aiming to achieve maximal resection without compromising patients' quality of life.

Ten-Segment Intramedullary Ependymoma and Whole Spinal Syringomyelia

BACKGROUND

Ten-segment intramedullary tumors are rare lesions in adults.

CASE DESCRIPTION

In this report, we describe the case of a 30-year-old woman who presented with a 2-year history of right lower limb numbness. Spinal magnetic resonance imaging showed an expansive 10-segment intramedullary lesion and syringomyelia. The final pathologic tests confirmed World Health Organization grade II ependymoma. She received a successful gross total tumorectomy with no obvious surgical-related complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The postoperative recovery is far beyond our expectations.

Surgical Treatment of Intra- and Juxtamedullary Spinal Cord Tumors: A Population Based Observational Cohort Study

Objective: Intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IMSCT) are rare entities and high-level evidence regarding optimal treatment is lacking. We aim to describe the demographics, histopathological distribution, onset symptoms, treatment strategies, and functional outcome for patients surgically treated for IMSCT.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of a consecutive population-based cohort of 95 patients who underwent surgery for intra- or juxtamedullary tumors at a single institution during the period 2004–2017.

Results: When gross total resection (GTR) was achieved, we found no case of local tumor recurrence even in the absence of adjuvant radio- or chemotherapy. Meanwhile, we found a 50% progression rate on long-term MRI follow-up in patients where only a partial resection was possible. At long-term follow-up, there was no significant alteration in functional status, while a significant reduction in share of patients reporting pain, compared to preoperative status, was identified. Poor preoperative functional status and postoperative tumor remnant were identified as individual risk factors for further functional decline.

Conclusion: Gross total resection, with minimal post-operative neurological deterioration, is possible in the majority of the cases, especially in the presence of an identifiable resection plane between tumor and healthy spinal cord. Since long-term progression-free survival could be achieved by GTR without additional adjuvant treatment, we emphasize that low-grade tumors should not be subject to radiotherapy. Treatment of high-grade or diffusely infiltrating tumors, tumor remnants, or metastases should be individualized.

Intramedullary and intratumoral hemorrhage in spinal hemangioblastoma: Case report and review of literature

Background:

Intramedullary hemorrhages involving spinal hemangioblastomas are rare. They are frequently associated with devastating neurologic outcomes, despite with emergent surgical intervention. Here, we presented an example of an intramedullary hemorrhage occurring in a spinal hemangioblastoma, where the patient markedly improved with surgery. Additionally, the appropriate literature was reviewed (including intraoperative video).

Case Description:

A 49-year-old female with a 4-year history of tingling in the left lower extremity presented with vomiting, stepwise worsening of bilateral scapular pain, new upper motor neuron signs, and severe sensory loss bilaterally below C4 on the left and T4 on the right. The magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a well-circumscribed, uniformly enhancing intramedullary tumor at the C2 level with hyperintensity on the T2 study consistent with acute hemorrhage and cord edema. An urgent C2 laminectomy was performed for gross total tumor resection. Intraoperatively, intramedullary hemorrhage was identified anterior to the tumor mass and was confirmed histopathologically. Postoperatively, the patient had no new sensorimotor deficits and fully recovered within two postoperative months.

Conclusions:

Patients presenting with acute intramedullary hemorrhage within hemangioblastomas of the spinal cord may demonstrate significant postoperative neurological recovery.

Magnetic Drug Targeting: A Novel Treatment for Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumors

Most applications of nanotechnology in cancer have focused on systemic delivery of cytotoxic drugs. Systemic delivery relies on accumulation of nanoparticles in a target tissue through enhanced permeability of leaky vasculature and retention effect of poor lymphatic drainage to increase the therapeutic index. Systemic delivery is limited, however, by toxicity and difficulty crossing natural obstructions, like the blood spine barrier. Magnetic drug targeting (MDT) is a new technique to reach tumors of the central nervous system. Here, we describe a novel therapeutic approach for high-grade intramedullary spinal cord tumors using magnetic nanoparticles (MNP). Using biocompatible compounds to form a superparamagnetic carrier and magnetism as a physical stimulus, MNP-conjugated with doxorubicin were successfully localized to a xenografted tumor in a rat model. This study demonstrates proof-of-concept that MDT may provide a novel technique for effective, concentrated delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to intramedullary spinal cord tumors without the toxicity of systemic administration.

Multiple extraspinal recurrences of ependymoma 13 years after spinal cordectomy: case report

Ependymomas of the spinal cord remain confined to the CNS and vary in presentation, depending on WHO grade. Higher-grade lesions usually cannot be surgically removed due to their infiltrative growth pattern. Spinal cordectomy has been proposed as a rescue treatment to improve survival in patients with high-grade as well as recurrent lesions. This report details an instructive and unique case of long-term follow-up of a patient who underwent cordectomy from T-4 through S-5 for what was initially diagnosed as a high-grade glial neoplasm of the spinal cord in 1993. The patient lived symptom free for 13 years after spinal cord resection and then presented with numerous bilateral extraspinal (intraabdominal and intrathoracic) tumors, which eventually led to her death 15 years after the cordectomy. In this case, spinal cordectomy was effective in preventing the ascending spread of the neoplasm, but ultimately not effective in preventing recurrence in the plicated distal dural sac.