Survival in patients with metastatic spinal cord compression from prostate cancer is associated with the number of extra-spinal organs involved

Background/Aim: To investigate the predictive value of the number of extra-spinal organs involved by metastases for survival in metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) from prostate cancer. Patients and Methods: In 95 patients irradiated with 10x3 Gy for MSCC from prostate cancer, seven factors were investigated: Age, performance score, number of involved vertebrae, interval from prostate cancer diagnosis to MSCC, pre-radiotherapy ambulatory status, time to motor deficits development, number of involved extra-spinal organs. Results: Six-month survival rates for 0, 1 and ≥2 involved extra-spinal organs, were 81, 53 and 33%, respectively (p<0.001). On multivariate analysis, the number of involved extra-spinal organs maintained significance (risk ratio 1.88, p=0.023). Better performance score (p<0.001), longer interval from prostate cancer diagnosis to radiotherapy of MSCC (p<0.001), and being ambulatory prior to radiotherapy (p=0.001) were also positively associated with survival. Conclusion: The number of extra-spinal organs involved by metastases predicts survival in patients with MSCC from prostate cancer.