title: Forecasting Survival Probabilities After Radiotherapy of Metastatic Epidural Spinal Cord Compression from Colorectal Cancer in the Elderly.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop a tool forecasting survival of elderly patients with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC) from colorectal cancer (CRC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-seven patients were retrospectively evaluated. Eleven characteristics were investigated for survival. Independent characteristics were used for the tool. Scores were obtained from dividing 6-month survival rates by 10. From summing these points, patient scores were obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On survival analysis (Cox regression model), organ metastases (p=0.006), performance status (p<0.001), pre-radiotherapy walking ability (p<0.001) and the dynamic of developing motor weakness (p=0.033) were significant factors affecting survival and were incorporated into the tool. Possible patient scores were 5, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 20 or 24 points. Three groups were created with scores of 5-10, 13-16 and 20-24 points, with 6-month survival rates of 4%, 23% and 79%, respectively (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By applying this tool, it is possible to forecast the survival of elderly patients experiencing MESCC from CRC, which is important for optimal treatment personalization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany rades.dirk@gmx.net.
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rades
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology and Oncology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bartscht
authors.affiliation: Medical Practice for Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Janssen
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Amira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bajrovic
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Segedin
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Steven E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Schild
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D011379:Prognosis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary
keywords: Colorectal cancer; elderly; metastatic epidural spinal cord compression; radiotherapy; survival forecast