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Published on: December 21, 2019
Important prognostic factors for survival in patients with malignant pleural effusion
Mauro Musa Zamboni1, Cyro Teixeira da Silva2, Rodrigo Baretta3
1Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery Division, Hospital do Câncer I, Instituto Nacional de Câncer/Ministério da Saúde, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. mauro.zamboni@gmail.com.
Background:
The approach to palliative treatment of malignant pleural effusion (MPE) should be individualized because these patients generally have poor survival. Our study aimed to develop a model to identify prognostic factors or survival time in patients diagnosed with MPE.
Methods:
This is a retrospective, descriptive, observational study to identify prognostic factors related to MPE in patients with a confirmed cancer diagnosis. Cox regression analysis was used to determine significant potential prognostic factors with respect to survival time. Survival time was defined as the time from pathological diagnosis to death.
Results:
One hundred and sixty-five patients were included; 77 were men (47%) and 88 were women (53%). The median age was 60 years, and all of the patients were pathologically proven to have MPE. Non-small-cell lung cancer (36.0%), breast carcinoma (26%), and lymphoma (13.0%) were the most frequently diagnosed tumors. The median overall survival of patients from the initial diagnosis was 5 months (range: 1.0-96.0 months). Kaplan-Meier univariate analysis showed that survival was significantly related to the following prognostic factors: ECOG PS (hazard ratio [HR] 10.0, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 5.96 to 18.50, p < 0.0001), primary cancer site (HR 1.99, 95% CI 1.23 to 3.22, p < 0.01), positive pleural cytology (HR 1.25, 95% CI 0.88 to 1.78, p = 0.04), and positive histology (HR 1.33, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.81, p = 0.04). Other potential independent diagnostic factors that were examined did not affect survival. Cox regression analysis showed that only the ECOG PS was highly predictive of survival (HR 73.58, 95% CI 23.44 to 230.95, p < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
ECOG PS is an independent predictor of survival in patients with MPE at initial diagnosis. This prognostic factor can help physicians select patients for appropriate palliative treatment of this syndrome.
Insights
The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) is a key predictor of survival in patients with malignant pleural effusion (MPE). This finding aids in personalizing palliative care for cancer patients with MPE.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Palliative Care
- Medical Statistics
Background:
- Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) presents a significant challenge in palliative care due to poor patient survival.
- Individualized treatment approaches are crucial for managing MPE.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify prognostic factors influencing survival time in patients diagnosed with MPE.
- To develop a predictive model for survival in MPE patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective, descriptive, observational study design.
- Cox regression analysis to determine significant prognostic factors for survival.
- Survival time defined as time from pathological diagnosis to death.
Main Results:
- 165 patients with MPE were analyzed; median survival was 5 months.
- Univariate analysis identified ECOG PS, primary cancer site, pleural cytology, and histology as significant factors.
- Cox regression revealed ECOG PS as the sole independent predictor of survival (HR 73.58, p<0.0001).
Conclusions:
- ECOG PS is a highly predictive independent factor for survival in MPE patients at initial diagnosis.
- This prognostic information can guide physicians in selecting appropriate palliative treatment strategies for MPE.
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