Aim: To identify survival predictors and develop a survival score for patients with brain metastases from esophageal cancer.
Patients and methods: In 16 patients, seven factors were analyzed including age, gender, Karnofsky performance score (KPS), time from diagnosis of esophageal cancer to irradiation, number of brain metastases, histology, and presence of extracerebral metastases.
Results: Improved survival was significantly associated with KPS≥80 (p<0.001), the presence of one brain metastasis (p=0.007), and no extra-cerebral metastases (p=0.002). These factors were included in the final score. Factor scores were calculated by dividing 6-month survival rates by 10. Total survival scores represented the sums of factor scores and were 2, 7, 10, 19 or 24 points. Six-month survival rates by score were 0%, 0%, 0%, 67% and 100%, respectively. Two groups were formed, those of patients with 2-10 points and those with 19-24 points; 6-month survival was 0% and 88%, respectively (p<0.001).
Conclusion: This new score facilitates the selection of individual therapies for patients with brain metastases from esophageal cancer.
Keywords: Esophageal cancer; brain metastases; overall survival; predictive factors; whole-brain irradiation.
Copyright© 2014 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.