Surgical results of metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): analysis of functional outcome, survival time, and complication.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: A number of studies have reported favorable surgical results for metastatic spinal tumors from various solid tumors. However, there are few data available on metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) from lung cancer despite its considerable frequency.

PURPOSE: The study aims to present the functional outcomes, survival time, and complications after surgical treatment for MSCC from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: This is a longitudinal observational study.

PATIENT SAMPLE: The study includes 50 patients who had neurologic deficit and underwent surgical treatment for MSCC from NSCLC.

OUTCOME MEASURES: The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG-PS), ambulatory status, overall survival, factors associated with survival time, and perioperative complications were analyzed.

METHODS: The postoperative changes of ECOG-PS and ambulatory status were assessed. The factors affecting postoperative ambulatory status were evaluated using logistic regression analysis. Survival time was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. To identify the prognostic factors, log-rank test and Cox hazards regression model were used for univariate and multivariate analyses, respectively. Major complications within postoperative 30 days and mortality rate were recorded.

RESULTS: The study cohort consisted of 27 males and 23 females with a mean age of 58.0±11.3 years at the time of surgery. An ECOG-PS improvement by at least one grade was observed in 33 of 50 cases (66.0%). Among 39 patients who were not ambulatory before surgery, 23 patients (59.0%) regained ambulatory ability after surgery. Patients who were preoperatively ambulant and those who underwent surgery within 72 hours from neurologic deficit had an increased chance of postoperative ambulation. The median for overall survival after surgery was 5.2 months. Five prognostic factors were identified on univariate analysis: time from neurologic deficit, responsiveness to preoperative chemotherapy, postoperative chemotherapy, postoperative ECOG-PS, and postoperative ambulatory status. Multivariate analysis revealed that time to neurologic deficit (risk ratio [RR]: 2.28, p=.023), postoperative chemotherapy (RR: 6.58, p<.001), and postoperative ECOG-PS (RR: 2.73, p=.040) were independent prognostic factors of survival time. Major complications developed in 34.0% of patients (17 of 50), and the 30-day mortality rate was 10.0% (5 of 50).

CONCLUSIONS: Functional improvements were observed through surgical treatment even with relatively high complication rates for MSCC from NSCLC. Earlier surgical treatment could act as an adjuvant therapy for prolonging survival by improving functional status.