title: Short-course radiotherapy (RT) for metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) due to renal cell carcinoma: results of a retrospective multi-center study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  For MSCC treatment, a short treatment time is desirable, especially if survival prognosis is poor. Survival depends on the primary tumor, extent of disease, performance status, ambulatory status, and the number of involved vertebrae. These factors may help to define the appropriate regimen for the individual patient. Our study compares short-course (1 x 8 Gy, 5 x 4 Gy) and long-course RT (10 x 3 Gy, 15 x 2.5 Gy, 20 x 2 Gy) for functional outcome in MSCC patients with renal cell carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  The following potential prognostic factors for functional outcome were retrospectively investigated: age, performance status, involved vertebra, ambulatory status, time of developing motor deficits before RT, radiation schedule (short-course RT, n=37; long-course RT, n=50).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-seven patients were included in this retrospective study, 25 patients (29%) showed improvement of motor function, 52 patients (60%) no change, 10 patients (11%) deterioration. 25% of non-ambulatory patients became ambulatory after RT. Functional outcome was affected by the time of developing motor deficits before RT (p<0.001). The RT schedule had no significant impact (p=0.91). In the short-course RT sub-group, functional outcome was similar for 1 x 8 Gy and 5 x 4 Gy (p=0.99).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short-course and long-course RT appear similarly active for MSCC in patients with renal cell carcinoma. Short-course RT appears preferable, as it is means less patient discomfort. Because 1 x 8 Gy and 5 x 4 Gy were comparably effective, 1 x 8 Gy may be suggested the best actual choice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. Rades.Dirk@gmx.net
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rades
authors.forename: Jochen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Walz
authors.forename: Lukas J A
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Stalpers
authors.forename: Theo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Veninga
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schulte
authors.forename: Nermina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Obralic
authors.forename: Ingeborg
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Wildfang
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Engenhart-Cabilic
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Hoskin
authors.forename: Steven E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Schild
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary; D016896:Treatment Outcome