A Survival Analysis of Surgically Treated Metastatic Spine Tumors.

Kim, Dong Yun; Chung, Sang Ki; Cho, Keun Tae; Chung, Chun Kee; Kim, Hyun Jib

Original Article

Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society 2003;33(3): 247-251.

Dong Yun Kim, Sang Ki Chung, Keun Tae Cho, Chun Kee Chung, Hyun Jib Kim

¹Department of Neurosurgery, Wooridul Spine Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
²Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
³Neuroscience Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
⁴Medical Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to assess the survival and prognostic factors of surgically treated metastatic spine tumors. METHODS: A retrospective review of 68 patients who underwent the surgical treatment of metastatic spine tumors from 1988 to 2001 was conducted. The survival of each patient was confirmed on Feb 2002. The survival rates were calculated and several variables were examined for prognostic factors. RESULTS: Postoperative mean survival time was 21.1 months. Three month and 2 year cumulative survival was 70.3% and 21.4%, respectively. The patients who survived less than 3 months after operation were 23(33.8%). The significant prognostic factors were the category of primary tumors, postoperative ambulation, preoperative functional status, and the interval between initial diagnosis and spine metastasis. CONCLUSION: The postoperative survival was related with the biologic behavior of primary tumor and general physical condition. High mortality rate in postoperative three months suggests that more sophisticated selection criterion is needed.

Key Words: Metastatic spine tumor; Survival; Prognostic factor