Fracture rate after conventional external beam radiation therapy to the spine in multiple myeloma patients

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Conventional external beam radiation therapy (cEBRT) is used in multiple myeloma (MM) to treat severe pain, spinal cord compression, and disease-related bone disease. However, radiation may be associated with an increased risk of vertebral compression fractures (VCFs), which could substantially impair survival and quality of life. Additionally, the use of the Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS) in MM is debated in MM.

PURPOSE

To determine the incidence of VCFs after cEBRT in patients with MM and to assess the applicability of the SINS score in the prediction of VCFs in MM.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective multicenter cohort study.

PATIENT SAMPLE

MM patients with spinal myeloma lesions who underwent cEBRT between January 2010 and December 2021.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Frequency of new or progressed VCFs and subdistribution hazard ratios for potentially associated factors.

METHODS

Patient and treatment characteristics were manually collected from the patients' electronic medical records. Computed tomography (CT) scans from before and up to 3 years after the start of radiation were used to score radiographic variables at baseline and at follow-up. Multivariable Fine and Gray competing risk analyses were performed to evaluate the diagnostic value of the SINS score to predict the postradiation VCF rate.

RESULTS

A total of 127 patients with 427 eligible radiated vertebrae were included in this study. The mean age at radiation was 64 years, and 66.1% of them were male. At the start of radiation, 57 patients (44.9%) had at least one VCF. There were 89 preexisting VCFs (18.4% of 483 vertebrae). Overall, 39 of 127 patients (30.7%) reported new fractures (number of vertebrae (n)=12) or showed progression of existing fractures (n=36). This number represented 11.2% of all radiated vertebrae. Five of the 39 (12.8%) patients with new or worsened VCFs received an unplanned secondary treatment (augmentation [n=2] or open surgery [n=3]) within 3 years. Both the total SINS score (SHR 1.77; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.54-2.03; p<.001) and categorical SINS score (SHR 10.83; 95% CI 4.20-27.94; p<.001) showed an independent association with higher rates of new or progressed VCFs in adjusted analyses. The use of bisphosphonates was independently associated with a lower rate of new or progressed VCFs (SHR 0.47 [95% CI 0.24-0.92; p=.027]).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that new or progressed VCFs occurred in 30.7% of patients within 3 years, in a total of 11.2% of vertebrae. The SINS score was found to be independently associated with the development or progression of VCFs and could thus be applied in MM for fracture prediction and possibly prevention.

Denosumab administration for bone metastases from solid tumors: a retrospective cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Little is known on how denosumab reduces skeletal-related events (SREs) by bone metastases from solid tumors. We sought to evaluate the effect of denosumab administration in patients with bone metastases from solid tumors.

METHODS

Data of patients treated with denosumab were collected from electronic medical charts (n = 496). Eligible participants in this study were adult patients (age ≥ 18 years) with metastatic bone lesions from solid tumors treated with denosumab. SREs, surgical interventions, the spinal instability neoplastic score (SINS) for spinal region, and Mirels' score for the appendicular region were evaluated. To assess whether denosumab could prevent SREs and associated surgery, the SINS and Mirels' score were compared between patients with and without SREs.

RESULTS

A total of 247 patients (median age, 65.5 years old; median follow-up period, 13 months) treated with denosumab for metastatic bone lesions from solid tumors were enrolled in this study. SREs occurred in 19 patients (7.7%). SREs occurred in 2 patients (0.8%) who took denosumab administration before SREs. Surgical interventions were undertaken in 14 patients (5.7%) (spinal and intradural lesions in five patients and appendicular lesions in nine patients). The mean SINS of patients without SREs compared to those with SREs were 7.5 points and 10.2 points, respectively. The mean Mirels' scores of non-SREs patients and those with SREs were 8.07 points and 10.7 points, respectively. Patients with SREs had significantly higher Mirels' score than non-SREs patients (p < 0.01). Patients with SREs had higher SINS than non-SREs patients (p = 0.09).

CONCLUSIONS

SREs occurred in patients with higher SINS or Mirels' scores. Two patients suffered from SREs though they took denosumab administration before SREs. Appropriate management of denosumab for patients with bone metastasis is significant. Surgical interventions may be needed for patients who with higher SINS or Mirel's scores.

Management Algorithm for Osseous Metastatic Disease: What the Treatment Teams Want to Know

Radiologists play a primary role in identifying, characterizing, and classifying spinal metastases and can play a lifesaving role in the care of these patients by triaging those with instability to urgent spine surgery consultation. For this reason, an understanding of current treatment algorithms and principles of spinal stability in patients with cancer is vital for all who interpret spine studies. In addition, advances in imaging allow radiologists to provide more accurate diagnoses and characterize pathology, thereby improving patient safety.

Vertebral compression fracture after stereotactic ablative radiotherapy in patients with oligometastatic bone lesions from hepatocellular carcinoma

Background and purpose

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) is popularly used to treat bone metastasis. Despite its efficacy, adverse events, including vertebral compression fracture (VCF), are frequently observed. Here, we investigated VCF risk after SABR for oligometastatic vertebral bone metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma.

Materials and methods

A total of 84 patients with 144 metastatic bone lesions treated at three institutions between 2009 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. The primary endpoint was VCF development, either new or progression of a pre-existing VCF. VCFs were assessed using the spinal instability neoplastic score (SINS).

Results

Among 144 spinal segments, 26 (18%) had pre-existing VCF and 90 (63%) had soft tissue extension. The median biologically effective dose (BED) was 76.8 Gy. VCF developed in 14 (12%) of 118 VCF-naïve patients and progressed in 20 of the 26 with pre-existing VCF. The median time to VCF development was 6 months (range, 1-12 months). The cumulative incidence of VCF at 12 months with SINS class I, II and III was 0%, 26% and 83%, respectively (p < 0.001). Significant factors for VCF development were pre-existing VCF, soft tissue extension, high BED, and SINS class in univariate analysis, and pre-existing VCF in multivariate analysis. Of the six components of SINS, pain, type of bone lesion, spine alignment, vertebral body collapse, and posterolateral involvement were identified as predictors of VCF development.

Conclusion

SABR for oligometastatic vertebral bone lesions from HCC resulted in a substantial rate of new VCF development and pre-existing VCF progression. Pre-existing VCF was significant risk factor for VCF development, which require special attention in patient care. Patients with SINS class III should be considered surgical treatment rather than upfront SABR.

Preliminary establishment of a spinal stability scoring system for multiple myeloma

BACKGROUND

Multiple myeloma is an incurable malignant plasma cell disorder that represents the most common primary malignant bone tumor. It commonly involves bone metastasis in multiple vertebral bodies, and the Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score scoring system may not be fully applicable to multiple myeloma (MM) patients.

AIM

To evaluate the spinal stability of patients with MM spinal involvement to guide their clinical treatment.

METHODS

By using the Delphi method, we collected and extracted information through a series of questionnaires and improved it via feedback. We also preliminarily established a spinal stability scoring system for multiple myeloma.

RESULTS

Fifteen clinicians completed a second round of questionnaires and compared their answers with those of the first round of questionnaires to identify significant comments or changes that required group discussions. As a result, no further feedback was used to improve the scoring system. After integrating the information from the expert consultation questionnaire, we established the initial scoring system for MM spine stability and used the scoring system to assess a series of representative clinical cases. The MM spinal stability scoring system was created by calculating the scores of the six separate components: location, pain, number of segments, physiological curvature, comorbidities, and neurological function. The minimum value was “0”, and the maximum value was “24”. A score of “0–10” indicated “spine stability”, a score of “11–17” indicated “potential instability”, and a score of “18–24” indicated “spine instability”. Patients with a score of “11–24” need an intervention such as surgery.

CONCLUSION

The initial establishment of the MM spine stability scoring system provides a vital theoretical basis for the evaluation of spine stability in individuals with MM.

Prognostic factors and its predictive value in patients with metastatic spinal cancer

BACKGROUND

The spine is the most common location of metastatic diseases. Treating a metastatic spinal tumor depends on many factors, including patients' overall health and life expectancy. The present study was conducted to investigate prognostic factors and clinical outcomes in patients with vertebral metastases.

AIM

To investigate prognostic factors and their predictive value in patients with metastatic spinal cancer.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 109 patients with metastatic spinal cancer was conducted between January 2015 and September 2017. The prognoses and survival were analyzed, and the effects of factors such as clinical features, treatment methods, primary lesions and affected spinal segments on the prognosis of patients with metastatic spinal cancer were discussed. The prognostic value of Frankel spinal cord injury functional classification scale, metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC), spinal instability neoplastic score (SINS) and the revised Tokuhashi score for prediction of prognosis was explored in patients with metastatic spinal tumors.

RESULTS

Age, comorbidity of metastasis from elsewhere, treatment methods, the number of spinal tumors, patient's attitude toward tumors and Karnofsky performance scale score have an effect on the prognosis of patients (all P < 0.05). With respect to classification of spinal cord injury, before operation, the proportion of grade B and grade C was higher in the group of patients who died than in the group of patients who survived, and that of grade D and grade E was lower in the group of patients who died than in the group of patients who survived (all P < 0.05). At 1 mo after operation, the proportion of grade A, B and C was higher in the group of patients who died than in the group of patients who survived, and that of grade E was lower in patients in the group of patients who died than in the group of patients who survived (all P < 0.05). MSCC occurred in four (14.3%) patients in the survival group and 17 (21.0%) patients in the death group (P < 0.05). All patients suffered from intractable pain, dysfunction in spinal cord and even paralysis. The proportion of SINS score of 1 to 6 points was lower in the death group than in the survival group, and the proportion of SINS score of 7 to 12 points was higher in the death group than in the survival group (all P < 0.05). The proportion of revised Tokuhashi score of 0 to 8 points and 9 to 11 points were higher in the death group than in the survival group, and the proportion of revised Tokuhashi score of 12 to 15 points was lower in the death group than in the survival group (all P < 0.05). Frankel spinal cord injury functional classification scale, MSCC, SINS and revised Tokuhashi score were important factors influencing the surgical treatment of patients with metastatic spinal cancer (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Frankel spinal cord injury functional classification scale, MSCC, SINS and revised Tokuhashi score were helpful in predicting the prognosis of patients with metastatic spinal cancer.

Treatment Strategy for Impending Instability in Spinal Metastases

Backgroud

Determining surgical management of a spinal metastasis is difficult owing to the involvement of multiple factors. The spinal instability neoplastic score (SINS) system is a reliable tool to evaluate instability in spinal metastases. The intermediate SINS (scores 7–12) indicates impending instability, which makes it difficult to determine the proper treatment strategy. In this study, we aimed to compare the initial status and treatment outcomes of a conservative group versus an operative group among patients with spinal metastases with an intermediate SINS of 7–12. Further, we evaluated the time for conversion to surgery in patients who had initially undergone conservative treatment and identified the factors associated with the conversion.

Methods

Among the patients with a spinal metastasis with an intermediate SINS of 7–12 from May 2013 to December 2017, those who were followed up for more than 12 months were enrolled in this study. Patients with signs of a neurologic deficit or cord compression at the initial diagnosis were excluded. Finally, 79 patients (47 in the initially conservative group and 32 in the initially operative group) were enrolled in this study. The performance status, Tomita score, and Tokuhashi score were assessed for group comparison. Components of SINS, the Bilsky grade, and radiosensitivity of tumor were evaluated to determine factors associated with conversion to surgery.

Results

Average follow-up was 20.9 months (range, 12–46 months). The demographic variables, primary cancer type, and performance status were not significantly different between the 2 groups. However, the Tomita score was lower in the initially operative group (p = 0.006). The 1-year treatment outcome assessed based on the change in performance status and vertebral height collapse showed a tendency to deteriorate less in the initially operative group. The rate of conversion to surgery in the initially conservative group was 33% in the first year, after which there was little change in the incidence of conversion. When vertebral body collapse was less than 50% or the tumor was located in the semi-rigid region (T3–T10), the need for conversion to surgery increased statistically significantly (p = 0.039 and p = 0.042, respectively).

Conclusions

The rate of conversion to surgery in initially conservatively treated patients was about 33% in the first year. When a tumor is located in T3–T10 and less than 50% vertebral body collapse is present, surgery may be the better choice than conservative treatment.

Outcomes and Prognosis of Neurological Decompression and Stabilization for Spinal Metastasis: Is Assessment with the Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score Useful for Predicting Surgical Results?

Study Design

Retrospective study.

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy of the Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS) in predicting surgical outcomes and survival. Patients were categorized into two groups according to the SINS, and their surgical outcomes and survival following decompression and stabilization were assessed.

Overview of Literature

Palliative surgery in patients with a life expectancy ≥3 months may effectively improve their overall condition in the long term. Currently, the effectiveness of the SINS for predicting surgical results and survival remains controversial.

Methods

This study included 44 patients who underwent decompression and stabilization for spinal metastases at Yokosuka Kyosai Hospital between 2008 and 2017. The patients were divided into two groups: stable (SINS ≤12) and unstable (SINS ≥13). Changes in the Frankel score and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG-PS) were compared between the two groups, and patient survival was evaluated according to the SINS, Tokuhashi score, and Katagiri score.

Results

The stable group (SINS range, 7–12) included 24 patients while the unstable group (SINS range, 13–16) included 20 patients. The Frankel score significantly improved from 2.8 to 3.6 in the stable group (p <0.001) and from 2.7 to 3.9 in the unstable group (p <0.001). The ECOG-PS significantly improved from 3.2 to 2.1 in the stable group (p <0.001) and from 3.0 to 1.8 in the unstable group (p <0.001). There was a statistically significant difference in median survival between the two groups.

Conclusions

All patients treated with palliative surgery showed favorable outcomes, as indicated by improved the Frankel score and ECOG-PS following surgery. However, median survival was significantly better in the stable group. The results of this study indicate that the SINS is appropriate for surgical decision making and may be used to predict survival.

Prediction of skeletal-related events in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

PURPOSE

Advanced lung cancer frequently causes bone metastasis which can be associated with skeletal-related events (SREs) that may cause significant deterioration of the patient's quality of life (QoL). The Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS) can be used to assist in standardizing evaluations of neoplastic spinal instability between spinal and non-spine surgeons. This research investigated the association between SREs and SINS for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

Between 2009 and 2013, 47 patients with NSCLC who were diagnosed with bone metastasis were classified using SINS into either a stable group (SINS, 0-6 points) or unstable group (SINS, 7-18 points). The primary endpoint was time from diagnosis of metastasis to SREs. Secondary endpoints included tumor type and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutational status. SREs were defined as spinal compression, pathologic fracture, spinal surgery, and hypercalcemia.

RESULTS

Patients included 37 cases of adenocarcinoma and 10 cases of squamous cell carcinoma. Mean follow-up time was 10.2 ± 13.7 months. SRE incidence was 15.0 % (3/20) in the stable group versus 44.4 % (12/27) in the unstable group (p = 0.048). A Cox regression model revealed that an EGFR-positive mutational status (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.15, 95 % CI, 0.030.71; p = 0.017) or good spinal stability (HR = 0.49; 0.08-0.99; p = 0.049) were favorable prognostic factors.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of SREs was significantly lower in NSCLC patients with better spinal stability as determined by SINS, which was a good prediction tool for SREs from bone metastasis. The lower incidence of SREs in EGFR-positive patients suggests tumor biology should be considered when predicting SREs.

Spinal instability as defined by the spinal instability neoplastic score is associated with radiotherapy failure in metastatic spinal disease

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Although radiotherapy is effective in achieving pain relief in most patients, it is not completely understood why some patients respond well to radiotherapy and others do not. Our hypothesis was that metastatic bone pain, if predominantly caused by mechanical instability of the spine, responds less well to radiotherapy than metastatic bone pain caused by local tumor activity. Recently, the spinal instability neoplastic score (SINS) was proposed as a standardized referral tool for nonspine specialists to facilitate early diagnosis of spinal instability.

PURPOSE

To investigate the association between spinal instability as defined by the SINS and response to radiotherapy in patients with spinal metastases.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospectively matched case-control study in an academic tertiary referral center, conducted according to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines.

PATIENT SAMPLE

Thirty-eight patients with spinal metastases who were retreated after initial palliative radiotherapy from January 2009 to December 2010 were matched to 76 control patients who were not retreated.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Radiotherapy failure as defined by retreatment (radiotherapy, surgery, and conservative) after palliative radiotherapy for spinal metastases.

METHODS

Radiotherapy planning computed tomography scans were scored by a blinded spine surgeon according to the SINS criteria. The association between SINS and radiotherapy failure was estimated by univariate and multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Median SINS was 10 (range 4-16) for cases and 7 (range 1-16) for controls. The SINS was significantly and independently associated with radiotherapy failure (adjusted odds ratio, 1.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-1.5; p=.01).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that a higher spinal instability score increases the risk of radiotherapy failure in patients with spinal metastases, independent of performance status, primary tumor, and symptoms. These results may support the hypothesis that metastatic spinal bone pain, predominantly caused by mechanical instability, responds less well to radiotherapy than pain mainly resulting from local tumor activity.