Estimation of the six-month survival probability after radiosurgery for brain metastases from kidney cancer

Aim: To generate an overall survival score for patients with kidney cancer who underwent radiosurgery for brain metastases. Patients and Methods: Thirty-six patients who received radiosurgery alone for 1-3 brain metastases from kidney cancer were included. On multivariate analysis of a preceding study of such patients, Karnofsky performance score (KPS) and extracranial spread were significantly associated with overall survival and formed the basis for this score. For each patient, the prognostic score was derived from adding the points of KPS and extracranial spread resulting in a score of 9, 12, 15 or 18 points. Results: Six-month overall survival rates were 13% for patients with 9 points, 80% for those with 12 points, 79% for those with 15 points and 100% for those with 18 points, respectively. Three groups of patients were defined with scores of 9, 12-15 and 18 points. Six-month overall survival rates were 13%, 79% and 100%, respectively (p=0.004). Conclusion: This new score facilitates personalized treatment decisions for patients with kidney cancer with very few brain metastases.