Which Scoring System Is the Most Accurate for Assessing Survival Prognosis in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Spinal Metastases from Lung Cancer? A Single-Center Experience.

OBJECTIVE: To compare different survival prognosis scores among patients operated on for spinal metastasis from lung cancer. METHODS: A single-center retrospective review of patients with lung cancer and spinal metastases who underwent spinal surgery at our institution from January 2008 to October 2020 was conducted. We calculated the prognostic value of the following scoring systems: revised Tokuhashi, revised Bauer, Skeletal Oncology Research Group classic, and New England Spinal Metastatic Score. For each scoring system, discrimination was assessed by computing the area under the curve. RESULTS: The study included 94 patients operated on for spinal metastasis from lung cancer. Mean patient age was 62 years (range, 32-79 years); 51% of patients were male. The 1-year survival rate was 18%, and the median survival time was 4 months. The 6- and 12-month area under the curve was 60% and 76%, respectively, for revised Tokuhashi, 55% and 58% for revised Bauer, 58% and 63% for Skeletal Oncology Research Group classic, and 61% and 69% for New England Spinal Metastatic Score. CONCLUSIONS: The revised Tokuhashi score seemed to be the most accurate scoring system for assessing survival prognosis in patients operated on for spinal metastasis from lung cancer. Newer scores including biological parameters did not add further precision among this specific population.