title: Palliative Radiation Therapy for Spinal Cord Compression from Metastatic Soft Tissue Sarcoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Spinal cord compression (SCC) from metastatic soft tissue sarcoma is a rare condition. Little is known regarding its optimal treatment. It is not clear whether these patients should receive radiation therapy alone or neurosurgery plus radiation therapy. This study focused on outcomes of patients with SCC from soft tissue sarcoma after radiation therapy alone.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effect of radiotherapy on pain relief and motor function and overall survival were evaluated in four patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complete pain relief was achieved in two (50%) and overall pain relief in three patients (75%). Motor function remained unchanged in all patients. Overall survival rates at three and six months following irradiation were 25% and 25%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiotherapy alone resulted in high rates of pain relief in patients with SCC from metastatic soft tissue sarcoma. The effect on motor function was less favorable. Upfront neurosurgery is required for improvement of motor deficits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Janssen
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Louisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bolm
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Lukas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Käsmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology&Oncology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bartscht
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany rades.dirk@gmx.net.
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rades
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059408:Pain Management; D010166:Palliative Care; D011379:Prognosis; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Soft tissue sarcoma; metastatic disease; palliative radiotherapy alone; spinal cord compression; treatment effect