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Radiotherapy for spinal cord compression in patients with soft-tissue sarcoma
Ofer Merimsky1, Yehuda Kollender, Felix Bokstein
1Unit of Bone and Soft Tissue Oncology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and Tel-Aviv University Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv, Israel. merimsky@zahav.net.il
Summary
Radiotherapy effectively palliates spinal cord compression (SpCC) in soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) patients, offering pain relief and improved function. This treatment is crucial for managing rare STS spinal metastases.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiation Oncology
- Surgical Oncology
Background:
- Spinal metastases from soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) are rare and present significant therapeutic challenges.
- Achieving wide surgical resection for spinal STS is often not feasible.
- Standard radiotherapy (RT) doses for limb STS (70 Gy) are reduced for spinal targets (45 Gy).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of radiotherapy in palliating spinal cord compression (SpCC) in patients with STS.
- To report clinical experience with RT for STS-associated SpCC.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 19 adult patients diagnosed with STS and SpCC.
- All patients received RT, typically 30 Gy in 10 fractions over 12 days, alongside steroids and analgesics.
- Clinical evaluation assessed treatment response.
Main Results:
- Twenty-three SpCC events were analyzed, with pain being the predominant symptom.
- Radiotherapy was administered to 22 out of 23 SpCC cases; 3 patients also underwent surgical decompression.
- Improvements in pain and functional status (Karnofsky performance status) were observed in 14 cases, enhancing independence.
Conclusions:
- Radiotherapy serves as a valuable palliative modality for spinal cord compression in STS patients.
- RT can alleviate pain and improve functional status in a significant proportion of patients with STS spinal metastases.