An Observational Study to Identify Various Prognostic Factors in Spinal Metastatic Disease in Northern India

Spinal metastatic disease is a common complication in cancer patients, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. These metastases are more frequently found in the bones and may present with symptoms of spinal canal invasion and cord compression. Understanding the prognostic factors influencing outcomes in spinal metastatic disease is crucial for optimizing treatment strategies and improving patient quality of life.

This study aims to identify and analyze various prognostic factors, including treatment modality (surgical vs. conservative), affecting the clinical outcomes in patients with spinal metastatic disease.

A prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care center on 50 patients diagnosed with spinal metastatic disease for a year. Data collected included demographic information, primary cancer type, site of primary cancer, neurological status at presentation, treatment modalities employed, and overall survival. Prognostic factors were evaluated using appropriate tests, and data analysis was performed using SPSS software.

The mean age of the patients was 60.7 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.4:1. The most common primary cancers were breast (21), lung (17), liver (8), and prostate (4). Key prognostic factors identified included sex (females having a good outcome), number of visceral metastases ≤ 1, hemoglobin, albumin, Karnofsky Performance Status score, pretreatment Klekamp score, and management (surgery).

This study identifies several critical prognostic factors in spinal metastatic disease, including neurological status at presentation, primary tumor type, and treatment modality. These factors should be considered when developing individualized treatment plans for patients with spinal metastatic disease to improve survival and quality of life.