Predicting overall survival in patients with brain metastases from esophageal cancer

To identify survival predictors and develop a survival score for patients with brain metastases from esophageal cancer.

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.

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).

This new score facilitates the selection of individual therapies for patients with brain metastases from esophageal cancer.