A Scoring Instrument to Predict the Survival Prognoses of Patients with Metastatic Epidural Spinal Cord Compression from Gynecological Malignancies

AIM: To design a scoring instrument for rating overall survival (OS) of patients with metastatic epidural sinal cord compression (MESCC) from gynecological malignancies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 22 patients treated with radiotherapy alone for MESCC from gynecological malignancies, ten factors were analyzed for effects on OS. Factors significantly associated with OS on multivariate analysis were included in a scoring instrument.

RESULTS: On multivariate analyses, no visceral metastases (p=0.004) and affection of 1-2 vertebrae (p=0.012) were significant. Scoring points for each factor were 0 or 1, depending on OS rates. After summing, scores of 0 (n=6), 1 (n=9) or 2 points (n=9) were obtained. OS rates were 0%, 78% and 100%, respectively, at 3 months and 0%, 33% and 86%, respectively, at 6 months (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION: An instrument was developed for estimating the lifespan of patients with MESCC from gynecological malignancies. This instrument can support physicians when picking an individual treatment.