Escalation of radiation dose beyond 30 Gy in 10 fractions for metastatic spinal cord compression

Journal Article · Thu Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 2007 · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2006.09.025· OSTI ID:20944697

Rades, Dirk ^[1]; Karstens, Johann H ^[2]; Hoskin, Peter J ^[3]; Rudat, Volker ^[4]; Veninga, Theo ^[5]; Schild, Steven E ^[6]; Dunst, Juergen ^[7]

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1. Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Luebeck (Germany) and Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg (Germany)
2. Department of Radiation Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover (Germany)
3. Mount Vernon Centre for Cancer Treatment, Northwood, Middlesex (United Kingdom)
4. Department of Radiation Oncology, St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr University, Bochum (Germany)
5. Department of Radiation Oncology, Dr. Bernard Verbeeten Institute, Tilburg (Netherlands)
6. Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Arizona (United States)
7. Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Luebeck (Germany)

Purpose: In many centers worldwide, radiotherapy for metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) is performed with 30 Gy in 10 fractions. This study investigated the potential benefit of dose escalation. Methods and Materials: Data from 922 patients with carcinomas causing MSCC were retrospectively evaluated. The outcome of 345 patients treated with 10 fractions of 3 Gy in 2 weeks was compared with the outcomes of 577 patients treated with 37.5 Gy in 15 fractions within 3 weeks or 40 Gy in 20 fractions within 4 weeks. Additionally, 10 potential prognostic factors were investigated: age, gender, performance status, tumor type, interval between cancer diagnosis and MSCC, number of involved vertebrae, other bone and visceral metastases, ambulatory status, and the interval to the development of motor deficits before radiotherapy. Results: Motor function improved in 19% of patients after 30 Gy in 10 fractions and in 22% after greater doses (p = 0.31). The local control (p = 0.28) and survival (p = 0.85) rates were not significantly different with doses >30 Gy. Better functional outcome was associated with the absence of visceral metastases, an interval between tumor diagnosis and MSCC of >12 months, ambulatory status, and an interval to the development of motor deficits of >7 days. Improved local control was significantly associated with no visceral metastases, improved survival with favorable histologic features (breast or prostate cancer), no visceral metastases, ambulatory status, an interval between cancer diagnosis and MSCC of >12 months, and an interval to the development of motor deficits of >7days. Conclusion: Escalation of the radiation dose to >30 Gy in 10 fractions did not improve the outcomes in terms of motor function, local control, or survival but did increase the treatment time for these frequently debilitated patients. Therefore, doses >30 Gy in 10 fractions are not recommended.

• OSTI ID: 20944697
• Journal Information: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, Journal Name: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 67; ISSN IOBPD3; ISSN 0360-3016
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
CARCINOMAS
DIAGNOSIS
MAMMARY GLANDS
METASTASES
PATIENTS
PROSTATE
RADIATION DOSES
RADIOTHERAPY
SPINAL CORD
VERTEBRAE