Validation of a score predicting post-treatment ambulatory status after radiotherapy for metastatic spinal cord compression.

Purpose: A score predicting post-radiotherapy (RT) ambulatory status was developed based on 2,096 retrospectively evaluated metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) patients. This study aimed to validate the score in a prospective series.

Methods And Materials: The score included five factors associated with post-RT ambulatory status: tumor type, interval tumor diagnosis to MSCC, visceral metastases, pre-RT motor function, time developing motor deficits.

Dose escalation for metastatic spinal cord compression in patients with relatively radioresistant tumors.

Purpose: Radiotherapy alone is the most common treatment for metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) from relatively radioresistant tumors such as renal cell carcinoma, colorectal cancer, and malignant melanoma. However, the results of the "standard" regimen 30 Gy/10 fractions need to be improved with respect to functional outcome. This study investigated whether a dose escalation beyond 30 Gy can improve treatment outcomes.

Validation and simplification of a score predicting survival in patients irradiated for metastatic spinal cord compression.

Background: Based on an analysis of 1852 retrospectively evaluated patients with metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC), a scoring system was developed to predict survival. This study was performed to validate the scoring system in a new data set.

Methods: The score included 6 prognostic factors: tumor type, interval between tumor diagnosis and MSCC, other bone or visceral metastases, ambulatory status, and duration of motor deficits.

Radiotherapy for oligometastatic disease in patients with spinal cord compression (MSCC) from relatively radioresistant tumors.

Background: Radiotherapy alone is the most common treatment for metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC). Patients with relatively radioresistant tumors and oligometastatic disease may benefit from more intensive therapies (surgery, high-precision radiotherapy). If such therapies are not available, one can speculate whether patients benefit from dose escalation beyond the standard regimen 30 Gy in ten fractions.

A score predicting posttreatment ambulatory status in patients irradiated for metastatic spinal cord compression.

Purpose: To create a scoring system to predict ambulatory status after radiotherapy (RT) for metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC).

Methods And Materials: On the basis of a multivariate analysis of 2096 MSCC patients, a scoring system was developed. This included the five prognostic factors significantly associated with post-RT ambulatory status: primary tumor type, interval between tumor diagnosis and MSCC, visceral metastases, motor function before RT, and time developing motor deficits before RT.

Toxicity of two cisplatin-based radiochemotherapy regimens for the treatment of patients with stage III/IV head and neck cancer.

Background: This nonrandomized study compared 2 radiochemotherapy regimens for toxicity in 128 patients with stage III/IV head and neck cancer.

Methods: Patients received conventionally fractionated radiotherapy. The total dose to primary tumor and involved lymph nodes did depend on preceding surgery.

Improved posttreatment functional outcome is associated with better survival in patients irradiated for metastatic spinal cord compression.

Purpose: To evaluate the potential prognostic impact of the effect of radiotherapy (RT) on motor function and of the post-RT ambulatory status on survival in metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) patients.

Methods And Materials: Of 1,852 patients irradiated for MSCC, 778 patients (42%) received short-course RT and 1,074 (58%) received long-course RT. The effect of RT on motor function (improvement vs.

Outcome after radiotherapy alone for metastatic spinal cord compression in patients with oligometastases.

Purpose: To investigate outcome and prognosis of metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) patients with oligometastatic disease treated with radiotherapy alone.

Patients And Methods: Oligometastatic disease was defined as involvement of three or fewer vertebrae and lack of other bone or visceral metastases. Five hundred twenty-one patients with oligometastatic disease and MSCC were evaluated for functional outcome, ambulatory status, local control of MSCC, and survival.

Functional outcome and survival after radiotherapy of metastatic spinal cord compression in patients with cancer of unknown primary.

Purpose: Patients with cancer of unknown primary (CUP) account for about 10% of patients with metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC). This study aims to define the appropriate radiation regimen for these patients.

Methods And Materials: Data of 143 CUP patients irradiated for MSCC were retrospectively evaluated.

Prognostic factors for local control and survival after radiotherapy of metastatic spinal cord compression.

Purpose: To evaluate potential prognostic factors for local control and survival after radiotherapy of metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC).

Patients And Methods: The following potential prognostic factors were investigated retrospectively in 1,852 patients irradiated for MSCC: age, sex, performance status, primary tumor, interval between tumor diagnosis and MSCC (< or = 15 v > 15 months), number of involved vertebrae (one to two v > or = three), other bone metastases, visceral metastases, pretreatment ambulatory status, time of developing motor deficits before radiotherapy (faster, 1 to 14 v slower, > 14 days), and radiation schedule (short-course v long-course radiotherapy).

Results: On univariate analysis, improved local control of MSCC was associated significantly with favorable histology (breast cancer, prostate cancer, lymphoma/myeloma), no visceral metastases, and long-course radiotherapy.

Defining the appropriate radiotherapy regimen for metastatic spinal cord compression in non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Many different schedules are used world wide for radiotherapy (RT) of metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC). Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients have an extraordinarily poor survival prognosis and would benefit from a short overall treatment time. This retrospective study compares short-course RT (1 x 8 Gy/1 day, 5 x 4 Gy/1 week) and long-course RT (10 x 3 Gy/2 weeks, 15 x 2.

Immunohistochemical evaluation of cyclin D1 in breast cancer.

Aim: To explore the potential prognostic value of cyclin D1 in invasive breast cancer and its correlation with basic histopathological parameters, hormonal status (estrogen [ER] and progesterone receptor [PR]), and bcl-2.

Methods: Medical records of 48 patients, diagnosed in 1998, from the Central Database of the Institute of Oncology, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, were analyzed. The mean follow-up was 61 months (range: 4-103 months).

The Bcl-2 protein: a prognostic indicator strongly related to ER and PR in breast cancer.

Bcl-2, the protein product of the Bcl-2 gene, is a member of the Bcl-2 family of proteins that play a crucial role in a complex mechanism of apoptosis. It was recently proposed that bcl-2 could inhibit cancer progression. In this study, we evaluated the expression patterns of Bcl-2, estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR) in 71 primary invasive breast carcinomas and their association with other clinicopathological parameters.