Radiation Therapy Alone Provides Excellent Outcomes for Spinal Cord Compression from Vertebral Lymphoma.
OBJECTIVE
Malignant spinal cord compression (SCC) is treated with radiotherapy (RT). Additional neurosurgery has become more widely used since a trial showed a benefit for selected patients. Although lymphomas were excluded from that trial, neurosurgery is also increasingly being performed in these patients. This study investigated whether neurosurgery is actually required for this group.


METHODS
Twenty-nine patients receiving RT alone for SCC from vertebral lymphoma were analyzed for motor function, walking ability, in-field recurrence and survival.


RESULTS
Overall response was 100% (72% improvement, 28% stable). At 1, 6 and 12 months after RT, 83%, 100% and 100% of patients were able to walk; 64%, 100%, and 100% of non-ambulatory patients regained their walking ability. Freedom from in-field recurrence was 100% at 6 and 12 months. Survival rates at 6 and 12 months were 79% and 75%.


CONCLUSIONS
RT alone resulted in excellent outcomes for SCC from lymphoma. These patients may not require surgery.
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany rades.dirk@gmx.net.
Dirk
D
Rades
Department of Radiation Oncology, Consorcio Hospital Provincial de Castellón, Castellón, Spain.
Antonio J
AJ
Conde-Moreno
Department of Radiation Oncology, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain.
Jon
J
Cacicedo
Department of Radiotherapy, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Republic of Slovenia.
Barbara
B
Šegedin
Department of Radiation Oncology, Saad Specialist Hospital, Al Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Volker
V
Rudat
Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, U.S.A.
Steven E
SE
Schild
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*
ambulation; lymphoma; radiation therapy; recurrences; spinal cord compression; survival