Evaluation of scoring systems and prognostic factors in patients with spinal metastases from nasopharyngeal carcinoma

An Exploratory Study of Refining TNM-8 M1 Categories and Prognostic Subgroups Using Plasma EBV DNA for Previously Untreated De Novo Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

(1) Background: NPC patients with de novo distant metastasis appears to be a heterogeneous group who demonstrate a wide range of survival, as suggested by growing evidence. Nevertheless, the current 8th edition of TNM staging (TNM-8) grouping all these patients into the M1 category is not able to identify their survival differences. We sought to identify any anatomic and non-anatomic subgroups in this study. (2) Methods: Sixty-nine patients with treatment-naive de novo M1 NPC (training cohort) were prospectively recruited from 2007 to 2018. We performed univariable and multivariable analyses (UVA and MVA) to explore anatomic distant metastasis factors, which were significantly prognostic of overall survival (OS). Recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) with the incorporation of significant factors from MVA was then performed to derive a new set of RPA stage groups with OS segregation (Set 1 Anatomic-RPA stage groups); another run of MVA was performed with the addition of pre-treatment plasma EBV DNA. A second-round RPA with significant prognostic factors of OS identified in this round of MVA was performed again to derive another set of stage groups (Set 2 Prognostic-RPA stage groups). Both sets were then validated externally with an independent validation cohort of 67 patients with distant relapses of their initially non-metastatic NPC (rM1) after radical treatment. The performance of models in survival segregation was evaluated by the Akaike information criterion (AIC) and concordance index (C-index) under 1000 bootstrapping samples for the validation cohort; (3) Results: The 3-year OS and median follow-up in the training cohort were 36.0% and 17.8 months, respectively. Co-existence of liver-bone metastases was the only significant prognostic factor of OS in the first round UVA and MVA. Set 1 RPA based on anatomic factors that subdivide the M1 category into two groups: M1a (absence of co-existing liver-bone metastases; median OS 28.1 months) and M1b (co-existing liver-bone metastases; median OS 19.2 months, p = 0.023). When pre-treatment plasma EBV DNA was also added, it became the only significant prognostic factor in UVA (p = 0.001) and MVA (p = 0.015), while co-existing liver-bone metastases was only significant in UVA. Set 2 RPA with the incorporation of pre-treatment plasma EBV DNA yielded good segregation (M1a: EBV DNA ≤ 2500 copies/mL and M1b: EBV DNA > 2500 copies/mL; median OS 44.2 and 19.7 months, respectively, p < 0.001). Set 2 Prognostic-RPA groups (AIC: 228.1 [95% CI: 194.8−251.8] is superior to Set 1 Anatomic-RPA groups (AIC: 278.5 [254.6−301.2]) in the OS prediction (p < 0.001). Set 2 RPA groups (C-index 0.59 [95% CI: 0.54−0.67]) also performed better prediction agreement in the validation cohort (vs. Set 1: C-index 0.47 [95% CI: 0.41−0.53]) (p < 0.001); (4) Conclusions: Our Anatomic-RPA stage groups yielded good segregation for de novo M1 NPC, and prognostication was further improved by incorporating plasma EBV DNA. These new RPA stage groups for M1 NPC can be applied to countries/regions regardless of whether reliable and sensitive plasma EBV DNA assays are available or not.

Refining TNM-8 M1 categories with anatomic subgroups for previously untreated de novo metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma

PURPOSE

To propose a refined M1 classification in de novo metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) based on pooled data from two academic institutions.

METHODS

Previously untreated de novo M1 NPC patients prospectively treated at The University of Hong Kong (N = 69) and Fujian Cancer Hospital (N = 114) between 2007 and 2016 were recruited and randomized in a 2:1 ratio to generate training (N = 120) and validation (N = 63) cohorts, respectively. Multivariable analysis (MVA) was performed for the training and validation cohorts to identify anatomic prognostic factors for overall survival (OS). Recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) was performed which incorporated the anatomic prognostic factors identified in the MVA to derive Anatomic-RPA groups which stratified OS in the training cohort, and were then validated in the validation cohort.

RESULTS

Median follow-up for the training and validation cohorts was 27.2 and 30.2 months with 3-year OS of 51.6% and 51.1%, respectively. MVA revealed that co-existing liver-bone metastases was the only factor prognostic for OS in both the training and validation cohorts. Anatomic-RPA separated M1 disease into M1a (no co-existing liver-bone metastases) and M1b (co-existing liver-bone metastases) with median OS 39.5 and 23.7 months, respectively (p = 0.004) in the training cohort. RPA for the validation cohort also confirmed good segregation with co-existing liver-bone metastases with median OS 47.7 and 16.0 months, respectively (p = 0.008).

CONCLUSION

Our proposal to subdivide de novo M1 NPC into M1a (no co-existing liver-bone metastases) vs. M1b (co-existing liver-bone metastases) provides better OS segregation.

Radical resection for solitary thoracic spinous-process metastasis: a case report and technical note

INTRODUCTION

Bone metastases confined to the posterior elements of the spine are rarely treated, as there exist no established radical surgical treatment options for this area. Herein, we present a case report of and technical note on a patient who underwent radical resection for a metastatic tumor in the thoracic spinous process.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 34-year-old male presented with a nasopharyngeal carcinoma with a solitary metastatic focus in the spinous process of the 10th thoracic vertebra. Imaging revealed that the tumor was confined to the spinous process and the surrounding soft tissues. No tumor was noted in the pedicles, vertebral body, and cortical bone on the ventral side of the lamina, as well as within the spinal canal. As treatment for this solitary metastatic lesion, we decided to perform radical resection with sufficient margins that would include the involved spinous process and all surrounding soft tissues exhibiting evidence of tumor infiltration. The posterior elements of the 9th-11th vertebrae, multifidus muscles, and skin were widely resected en bloc using a T-saw. The posterior elements of the spinal column were resected at the level of pedicles without full visualization of the involved dural sac. The tumor-infiltrated soft tissues surrounding the T10 vertebral spinous process were excised without full visualization of the tumor. Adjuvant therapy was not administered postoperatively. During the second year of follow-up, no signs of recurrence or metastasis were noted.

DISCUSSION

Our proposed technique allows wide resection of a solitary focus of metastasis in the posterior elements of the spine.

Are spine metastasis survival scoring systems outdated and do they underestimate life expectancy? Caution in surgical recommendation guidance

OBJECTIVE

Survival scoring systems for spine metastasis (SPM) were designed to help surgical practice. The authors sought to validate the prognostic accuracy of the main preoperative scoring systems for SPM.

METHODS

It was hypothesized that true patient survival in SPM was better than that predicted using prognosis scores. To investigate this hypothesis, the authors designed a French national retrospective study of a prospectively collected multicenter database involving 739 patients treated for SPM between 2014 and 2017.

RESULTS

In this series, the median survival time for all patients from an SPM diagnosis was 17.03 ± 1.5 months. Sensitivity and specificity were estimated using the area under the curve (AUC). The AUC of Tomita's prognosis score was the lowest and poorest (0.4 ± 0.023, range 0.35-0.44), whereas the AUC of the Tokuhashi score was the highest (0.825). The Lei score presented an AUC of 0.686 ± 0.022 (range 0.64-0.7), and the Rades score showed a weaker AUC (0.583 ± 0.020, range 0.54-0.63). Differences among AUCs were all statistically significant (p < 0.001). The modified Bauer score and the Rades score had the highest rate of agreement in predicting survival, with a weighted Cohen's kappa of 0.54 and 0.41, respectively, indicating a moderate agreement. The revised Tokuhashi and Lei scores had a fair rate of agreement (weighted Cohen's kappa = 0.24 and 0.22, respectively). The van der Linden and Tomita scores demonstrated the worst performance, with only a "slight" rate of agreement (weighted Cohen's kappa = 0.19 and 0.16, respectively) between what was predicted and the actual survival.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of prognostic scoring systems in the estimation of survival in patients with SPM has become obsolete and therefore underestimates survival. Surgical treatment decisions should no longer be based on survival estimations alone but must also take into account patient symptoms, spinal instability, and quality of life.

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.

Surgical Treatment Outcomes of Spinal Metastases of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: The First Report of 30 Patients from a Single Center

Background

Studies focused on surgical interventions of spinal metastases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (SMNPC) are blank.

Methods

Patients with SMNPC who received surgical treatment in our center between 2005 and 2017 were included. Univariate and multivariate analysis of various clinical characteristics and operation-related data were analyzed to identify the independent factors that affected prognosis. Factors with P values of 0.1 or less were subjected to multivariate Cox regression analysis. P values of 0.05 or less were considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 30 patients with SMNPC treated with surgery were included. The thoracic spine was the most frequently involved site. The patients in this series achieved good overall survival (OS, 20.26 months) with limited perioperative complications. The univariate analysis suggested that preoperative Karnofsky performance scale, number of spinal metastases, number of visceral metastases, preoperative Frankel score, surgical resection mode and Ki 67 were potential prognostic factors. In the multivariate analyses, number of visceral metastases, preoperative Frankel score and resection mode were found to be independent prognostic factors.

Conclusion

This is the first study focusing on surgical outcomes in SMNPC. The thoracic spine was the most frequently involved site of SMNPC. Preoperative Frankel score, number of visceral metastasis and surgical resection mode were independent prognostic factors for SMNPC. Combined with adjuvant therapies, surgical interventions should be recommended early when necessary.

Bone Metastases of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor: A Review of Published Literature

Background

With the occurrence and improvement of immunohistochemistry and other pathological diagnostic techniques, gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) has been gradually recognized. With the prolonged survival of patients with GISTs, reports about the bone metastasis of GIST increased. However, the knowledge of GISTs is rather limited due to its very low incidence.

Methods

Cochrane and Medline database (via PubMed) were searched in July 2019 with related keywords to acquire the literature related to the bone metastasis of GIST. Then, the literature was reviewed and references were also scanned to identify the possible related reports. Study data comprising age, sex, primary location, metastasis interval time, immunohistochemistry index, management and prognosis were recorded and analyzed.

Results

Forty-five patients with bone metastases of GIST, with a mean age of 61.09 years, were included. The small intestine and stomach were the most common primary sites, followed by the rectum. Patients with small intestine primary sites had bone metastases that occurred earlier than the bone metastases stomach and rectum primary sites. The spine was the most common site of bony metastases. The mean survival time after GIST diagnosis was more than 64.02 months. Patients younger than 60 years old had a worse prognosis than those older than 60 years old. Furthermore, patients with spinal involvement had a worse prognosis than those without spinal involvement. Surgical interventions combined with targeted therapies guaranteed a better prognosis.

Conclusion

Bone metastasis of GIST, which mainly occurs in the spine, is rather rare. Patients with GISTs of the small intestine and stomach suffered from bone metastasis more frequently and earlier than patients with GISTs in other primary sites. Age, sex, primary tumor location, treatment mode for the primary lesions and metastases, and spine involvement may be potential factors that affect the prognosis of GIST patients with bone metastases.

Prognostic effect of factors involved in revised Tokuhashi score system for patients with spinal metastases: a systematic review and Meta-analysis

Background

Cancer patients’ survival time has obviously improved, with the development of systemic treatment techniques. However, the probability of metastases to the vertebrae has also been increased which makes some adverse effects on patients’ quality of life. The prediction of survival plays a key role in choosing therapeutic modality, and Tokuhashi Score was established as one of the most commonly used predictive systems for spinal metastases. Thus, this study was conducted to identify the prognostic effect of factors involved in revised Tokuhashi Score (RTS).

Methods

Two investigators independently retrieved relevant literature on platforms of PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library. We identified eligible studies through title/abstract and full-text perusing. Data was extracted including general information of studies, participants’ characteristics, therapeutic modality, overall survival and prognostic effect of factors. Hazard ratio (HR) for each factor was synthesized if available through fixed- or random-effect models as appropriate.

Results

A total of 63 eligible studies with 10,411 participants were identified. Overall, cases with thyroid cancer had the highest survival rate, while the ones with non-small cell lung cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma lived for the shorted survival time. Performance status, bone metastasis, number of involved vertebrae, visceral metastasis, primary tumor and neurological status were regarded as significant predictors in 71.4, 40.0, 18.2, 63.4, 73.1 and 44.7% of the involved studies respectively. Thirty-eight articles were included in meta-analysis, and prognostic effects of five factors (apart from primary tumor) were analyzed. Factors were all proved to be significant except comparisons between KPS (Karnofsky Performance Status) 10–40 VS. 50–70 and single VS. multiple spinal metastases.

Conclusion

All factors of RTS were significant on prognosis predicting and should be considered when choosing therapeutic modality for spinal metastases. What’s more, we believe that more accurate prognosis may be obtained after removal of the cut-offs for KPS 10–40 VS. 50–70 and single VS. multiple involved vertebrae.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-018-5139-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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.

Risk factors associated with short-term complications and mortality after pediatric spinal arthrodesis

OBJECTIVE Spinal arthrodesis is routinely performed in the pediatric population. However, there is limited information on the short-term outcomes of pediatric patients who have undergone spine fusion. Thus, the authors conducted a retrospective review of the Pediatric National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database to determine the short-term mortality, complication, reoperation, and readmission rates of pediatric patients who underwent spinal arthrodesis for all indications. METHODS The Pediatric NSQIP database was queried for all patients who underwent spinal arthrodesis between 2012 and 2014. Patient demographics, comorbidities, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, and operative time were abstracted. Short-term mortality, reoperation, and readmission rates and complications were also noted. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to delineate patient risk factors that influence short-term mortality, complications, reoperation, and readmission rates. RESULTS A total of 4420 pediatric patients who underwent spinal fusion were identified. Common indications for surgical intervention included acquired/idiopathic scoliosis or kyphoscoliosis (71.2%) and genetic/syndromic scoliosis (10.7%). The mean patient age was 13.7 ± 2.9 years, and 70% of patients were female. The overall 30-day mortality was 0.14%. Multivariate analysis showed that female sex and pulmonary comorbidities significantly increased the odds of reoperation, with odds ratios of 1.43 and 1.78, respectively. CONCLUSIONS In the NSQIP database for pediatric patients undergoing spinal arthrodesis for all causes, there was a 3.6% unplanned reoperation rate, a 3.96% unplanned readmission rate, and a 9.0% complication rate. This analysis provides data for risk stratification of pediatric patients undergoing spinal arthrodesis, allowing for optimized care.

Prognostic factors in patients with spinal metastasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Incidence of symptomatic spinal metastasis has increased owing to improvement in treatment of the disease. One of the key factors that influences decision-making is expected patient survival. To our knowledge, no systematic reviews or meta-analysis have been conducted that review independent prognostic factors in spinal metastases.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to determine independent prognostic factors that affect outcome in patients with metastatic spine disease.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of publications for prognostic factors in spinal metastatic disease.

PATIENT SAMPLE

Pooled patient results from cohort and observational studies.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENT

Meta-analysis for poor prognostic factors as determined by hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidential interval (95% CI).

METHODS

We systematically searched relevant publications in PubMed and Embase. The following search terms were used: ("'spinal metastases'" OR "'vertebral metastases'" OR ""spinal metastasis" OR 'vertebral metastases') AND ('"prognostic factors"' OR "'survival'"). Inclusion criteria were prospective and retrospective cohort series that report HR and 95% CI of independent prognostic factors from multivariate analysis. Two reviewers independently assessed all papers. The quality of included papers was assessed by using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for cohort studies and publication bias was assessed by using funnel plot, Begg test, and Egger test. The prognostic factors that were mentioned in at least three publications were pooled. Meta-analysis was performed using HR and 95% CI as the primary outcomes of interest. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² method.

RESULTS

A total of 3,959 abstracts (1,382 from PubMed and 2,577 from Embase) were identified through database search and 40 publications were identified through review of cited publications. The reviewers selected a total of 51 studies for qualitative synthesis and 43 studies for meta-analysis. Seventeen poor prognostic factors were identified. These included presence of a neurologic deficit before surgery, non-ambulatory status before radiotherapy (RT), non-ambulatory status before surgery, presence of bone metastases, presence of multiple bone metastases (>2 sites), presence of multiple spinal metastases (>3 sites), development of motor deficit in <7 days before initiating RT, development of motor deficit in <14 days before initiating RT, time interval from cancer diagnosis to RT <15 months, Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS) 10-40, KPS 50-70, KPS<70, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) grade 3-4, male gender, presence of visceral metastases, moderate growth tumor on Tomita score (TS) classification, and rapid growth tumor on TS classification.

CONCLUSIONS

Seventeen independent poor prognostic factors were identified in this study. These can be categorized into cancer-specific and nonspecific prognostic factors. A tumor-based prognostic scoring system that combines all specific and general factors may enhance the accuracy of survival prediction in patients with metastatic spine disease.

Reliability of a spinal metastasis prognostic score to model 1-year survival

BACKGROUND

Predicting survival after surgery for patients with metastatic spine disease can be challenging, with multiple variables that can influence a patient's overall survival. Predictive models have been developed to assist clinicians in providing a prognosis for patients. Recently, Ghori et al. reported a composite model taking into account a modified Bauer score, preoperative albumin, and ambulatory status of patients with spinal metastasis. Using an independent cohort, we sought to assess the reliability and validity of this composite model to predict 1-year survival in patients diagnosed with metastatic cancer to the spine.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the Ghori et al. composite model to predict 1-year survival in patients diagnosed with metastatic cancer to the spine, using an independent cohort.

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING

A retrospective study was carried out.

PATIENT SAMPLE

The sample comprised 161 patients with spinal metastasis undergoing surgery.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Patients' modified Bauer score, preoperative albumin, and ambulatory status were assessed.

METHODS

This study used a retrospective analysis of 161 patients with spinal metastasis who underwent surgical management from 2007 to 2013. The ability of this composite model to predict 1-year survival was compared with actual patient survival using multivariable logistic regression to control for confounders, as well as post-regression diagnostics.

RESULTS

Our analysis revealed significantly lower 1-year mortality among patients with higher composite scores as compared with those with lower scores. Strong associations between scores and survival were appreciated in unadjusted analysis. The final model was able to account for 80% of the variation in the 1-year survival, and there was no evidence of lack of fit.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates, in an independent cohort of spinal metastases patients, that a composite model taking into account the ambulatory status, serum albumin, and modified Bauer score is able to better predict postoperative survival. These data serve to validate the use of this predictive model in determining the prognosis of patients with spinal metastasis.

A nomogram for predicting survival of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with metachronous metastasis

Patients with metachronous metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) differ significantly in survival outcomes. The aim of this study is to build a clinically practical nomogram incorporating known tumor prognostic factors to predict survival for metastatic NPC patients in epidemic areas.A total of 860 patients with metachronous metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma were analyzed retrospectively. Variables assessed were age, gender, body mass index, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) T and N stages, World Health Organization (WHO) histology type, serum lactate dehydrogenase (sLDH) level, serum Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) level, treatment modality, specific metastatic location (lung/liver/bone), number of metastatic location(s) (isolated vs multiple), and number of metastatic lesion(s) in metastatic location(s) (single vs multiple). The independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) by Cox-regression model were utilized to build the nomogram.Independent prognostic factors for OS of metastatic NPC patients included age, UICC N stage, KPS, sLDH, number of metastatic locations, number of metastatic lesions, involvement of liver metastasis, and involvement of bone metastasis. Calibration of the final model suggested a c-index of 0.68 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.65-0.69). Based on the total point (TP) by nomogram, we further subdivided the study cohort into 4 groups. Group 1 (TP < 320, 208 patients) had the lowest risk of dying. Discrimination was visualized by the differences in survival between these 4 groups (group 2/group 1: hazard ratio [HR] = 1.61, 95%CI: 1.24-2.09; group 3/group 1: HR = 2.20, 95%CI: 1.69-2.86; and group 4/group 1: HR = 3.66, 95%CI: 2.82-4.75).The developed nomogram can help guide the prognostication of patients with metachronous metastatic NPC in epidemic areas.

Preoperative palsy score has no significant association with survival in non-small-cell lung cancer patients with spinal metastases who undergo spinal surgery

BACKGROUND

Survival is a key factor physicians consider when selecting a treatment modality for the treatment of spinal metastases. Various assessment systems can predict length of survival and facilitate selection of the most appropriate treatment. Spinal palsy is a prognostic parameter in the Tokuhashi scoring system but not in the Tomita scoring system. A limitation of these scoring systems is that studies of them have included different tumor types. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of preoperative neurological status as a prognostic factor in non-small-cell lung cancer patients with spinal metastases who underwent surgical treatment.

METHODS

From November 2000 to March 2010, 50 patients with symptomatic metastatic spinal cord compression secondary to non-small-cell lung cancer underwent palliative surgery. Data collected included patient age and sex, tumor histology, date of surgery, death or last follow-up, preoperative and postoperative ambulatory status according to the Frankel grading system, body mass index (BMI), number of vertebra involved, number of other bone metastasis, visceral metastasis, and preoperative Karnofsky performance status. Log-rank test and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regressions were used to evaluate possible prognostic factors.

RESULTS

The mean patient age was 61.6 years (range, 20-87 years), and 34 were male and 16 were female. The median postoperative survival time was 7.5 months. The median survival was 2.5 months (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22-16.3 months) in the Frankel A + B group and 8.0 months (95% CI: 5.52-9.89 months) in the Frankel C + D group (p = 0.87). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regressions showed that preoperative performance status was significantly associated with survival. Preoperative palsy score had no statistically significant association with survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative palsy score had no statistically significant association with survival in non-small-cell lung cancer patients with spinal metastases who underwent spinal surgery in this study.

Which one is a valuable surrogate for predicting survival between Tomita and Tokuhashi scores in patients with spinal metastases? A meta-analysis for diagnostic test accuracy and individual participant data analysis

This study is to estimate the diagnostic accuracy of Tokuhashi and Tomita scores that assures 6-month predicting survival regarded as a standard of surgical treatment. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, European PubMed central, and the Cochrane library for papers about the sensitivities and specificities of the Tokuhashi and/or Tomita scores to estimate predicting survival. Studies with cut-off values of ≥9 for Tokuhashi and ≤7 for Tomita scores based on prior studies were enrolled. Sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), area under the curve (AUC), and the best cut-off value were calculated via meta-analysis and individual participant data analysis. Finally, 22 studies were enrolled in the meta-analysis, and 1095 patients from 8 studies were included in the individual data analysis. In the meta-analysis, the pooled sensitivity/specificity/DOR for 6-month survival were 57.7 %/76.6 %/4.70 for the Tokuhashi score and 81.8 %/47.8 %/4.93 for Tomita score. The AUC of summary receiver operating characteristic plots was 0.748 for the Tokuhashi score and 0.714 for the Tomita score. Although Tokuhashi score was more accurate than Tomita score slightly, both showed low accuracy to predict 6 months residual survival. Moreover, the best cut-off values of Tokuhashi and Tomita scores were 8 and 6, not 9 and 7, for predicting 6-month survival, respectively. Estimation of 6-month predicting survival to decide surgery in patients with spinal metastasis is quite limited by using Tokuhashi and Tomita scores alone. Tokuhashi and Tomita scores could be incorporated as part of a multidisciplinary approach or perhaps interpreted in the context of a multidisciplinary approach.