Interval between cancer diagnosis and radiotherapy – An independent prognostic factor of survival in patients irradiated for bone metastases from kidney cancer

Background/Aim: Cancer patients with metastatic disease require personalized treatment regimens. This study was performed to identify prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) following irradiation of bone metastases from kidney cancer. Patients and Methods: Data of 29 patients irradiated for bone metastases from kidney cancer were retrospectively evaluated. Ten factors were analyzed, including age, gender, performance score, interval from diagnosis of kidney cancer until radiotherapy for bone metastases, visceral metastases, other bone metastases, metastatic sites, number of irradiated sites, surgery of irradiated sites and systemic treatment prior to radiotherapy. Results: Using univariate analyses, a longer interval from diagnosis of kidney cancer radiotherapy was associated with better OS (p=0.012). Using Cox regression analysis, this factor remained significant (risk ratio=3.54, p=0.012). Conclusion: The interval from diagnosis of kidney cancer until radiotherapy is an independent prognostic factor associated with OS following irradiation of bone metastases from kidney cancer. This type of data can help personalize radiation programs.