title: Prognostic factors for local control and survival in patients with spinal cord compression from myeloma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This retrospective study aimed to identify prognostic factors for local control and survival in 214 patients irradiated for spinal cord compression (SCC) from myeloma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten potential prognostic factors were investigated including age, gender, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score (ECOG-PS), number of involved vertebrae, ambulatory status, other osseous lesions, extraosseous lesions, interval from first diagnosis of myeloma to SCC, time developing motor deficits before radiotherapy (RT), and the RT schedule (short-course vs. long-course RT).
  
  
  RESULTS
  On univariate analysis, no factor was associated with local control of SCC. Survival was associated with ECOG-PS (p < 0.001), ambulatory status (p < 0.001), other osseous lesions (p < 0.001), and extraosseous lesions (p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, these prognostic factors maintained significance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  New independent prognostic factors were identified for survival after RT of SCC from myeloma. These factors can help tailor treatment to the individual patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Lubeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lubeck, Germany. rades.dirk@gmx.net
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rades
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Douglas
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Veninga
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Poortmans
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bajrovic
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Hoskin
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rudat
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Schild
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000401:mortality* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000401:mortality* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome