Differential survival outcomes in upper versus lower extremity metastatic bone disease: a retrospective comparative...

The rising prevalence of metastatic bone disease (MBDex) of the extremities substantially affects patient quality of life due to skeletal-related events. Determining whether surgical intervention benefits patient survival is crucial in the management of MBDex. However, there is currently limited evidence regarding the survival impact of upper versus lower extremity involvement. This study aims to evaluate differences in survival outcomes regarding metastatic site, and the impact of operative versus nonoperative management.

This retrospective cohort study evaluated 1,719 patients with a two-year follow-up period after treatment for MBDex at a major tertiary medical center in Taiwan from 2010 to 2018. Inclusion criteria included patients aged over 20 who underwent operative or nonoperative management. Exclusion criteria involved patients with concurrent upper and lower extremity metastases. Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariate Cox regression models were used to analyze survival and prognostic factors.

Compared to upper MBDex, lower MBDex patients have poorer pretreatment Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status. Lower MBDex was associated with worse two-year survival, particularly among those receiving nonoperative management. Common prognostic factors included ECOG performance status, Charlson's comorbidities, primary tumor type, and albumin levels, while previous systemic treatment and the presence of visceral and brain metastases were specifically detrimental in lower MBDex.

Lower MBDex is associated with poorer survival outcomes. Operative management is associated with survival benefit in lower MBDex, a benefit not as pronounced in upper MBDex. These findings highlight the importance of differentiating between upper and lower extremity metastases in survival analyses and prediction.