title: Metastatic spinal cord compression from pancreatic cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pancreatic cancer is an extremely rare entity in patients with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC). This study aimed to identify prognostic factors for functional outcome and survival following irradiation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten variables were investigated in 15 patients: age, gender, performance score, time from diagnosis of pancreatic cancer to MESCC, number of involved vertebrae, ambulatory status, bone metastases, organ metastases, time developing motor deficits, and the radiation schedule (1×8 Gy vs. fractionated radiotherapy schedules).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Better post-treatment motor function was significantly associated with absence of organ metastases (p=0.025). Better survival was also significantly associated with absence of organ metastases: 6-month survival rates were 100% and 9%, respectively (p=0.006). The radiation schedule had no significant impact on treatment outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with organ metastases have a very limited life expectancy and are good candidates for irradiation with 1×8 Gy instead of fractionated schedules.
authors: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany Rades.Dirk@gmx.net.
authors: Dirk
authors: D
authors: Rades
authors: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Huttenlocher
authors: Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, U.S.A.
authors: Steven E
authors: SE
authors: Schild
authors: Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
authors: Tobias
authors: T
authors: Bartscht
mesh_terms: D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Metastatic spinal cord compression; functional outcome; pancreatic cancer; radiotherapy; survival