Number of extraspinal organs with metastases: A prognostic factor of survival in patients with metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) from Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Background/Aim: In patients irradiated for MSCC from NSCLC, the number of extraspinal organs involved by metastases was investigated for associations with survival. Patients and Methods: The data of 131 patients irradiated with 10?3 Gy in two weeks for MSCC were evaluated. The number of involved extraspinal organs plus eight other factors were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The 6-month survival rates were 72%, 57%, 20%, and 11% for the involvement of 0, 1, 2, and?3 extraspinal organs, respectively (p<0.001). On multivariate analysis, the number of involved extraspinal organs remained significant (risk ratio 1.60; 95% CI 1.28-2.00; p<0.001). Gender (p=0.028), ECOG performance score (p=0.001), histology (p=0.014), ambulatory status (p=0.002), and time to developing motor deficits (p=0.041) were also independent prognostic factors for survival. Conclusion: The number of extraspinal organs with metastases is an independent prognostic factor for the survival of NSCLC patients presenting with MSCC and should be considered in future studies.