Predicting the Ambulatory Status of Patients Irradiated for Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression (MSCC) from Head-and-neck Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIM: Personalized cancer care can improve patient outcomes and is facilitated by scoring systems. This study aimed to create an instrument to estimate ambulatory status after radiotherapy for metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) from head-and-neck cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 60 patients, fractionation regimen plus 10 pre-treatment factors were analyzed for post-treatment ambulatory status. Significant factors were used for the scoring system by dividing the ambulatory rate (in %) by 10. Patients' scores were received by adding the factor scores. RESULTS: Time developing motor deficits >7 days (p=0.011), being ambulatory prior to radiotherapy (p<0.001) and ECOG performance score 1-2 (p<0.001) showed significant associations with post-treatment ambulatory status. Patients' scores were 7, 12, 15, 20, 22 and 27 points. Three groups were designed (7-12, 15-20 and 22-27 points) with post-treatment ambulatory rates of 11%, 62% and 96% (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: This scoring system helps predict ambulatory status after radiotherapy for MSCC from head-and-neck cancer.