The aim of the study was to compare measures of the quality of
life (QOL) after resection of a chordoma of the mobile spine with
the national averages in the United States and to assess which factors
influenced the QOL, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and coping
with pain post-operatively in these patients. A total of 48 consecutive patients who underwent resection of
a primary or recurrent chordoma of the mobile spine between 2000
and 2015 were included. A total of 34 patients completed a survey
at least 12 months post-operatively. The primary outcome was the
EuroQol-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D-3L) questionnaire. Secondary outcomes were
the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS)
anxiety, depression and pain interference questionnaires. Data which
were recorded included the indication for surgery, the region of
the tumour, the number of levels resected, the status of the surgical
margins, re-operations, complications, neurological deficit, length
of stay in hospital and rate of re-admission.Aims
Patients and Methods
Between 1992 and 1999, we treated 350 patients with skeletal metastases. A multivariable analysis of the patients was conducted using the Cox proportional hazards model. We identified five significant prognostic factors for survival, namely, the site of the primary lesion, the performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group status 3 or 4), the presence of visceral or cerebral metastases, any previous chemotherapy, and multiple skeletal metastases. The score for each significant factor was derived from the corresponding estimated regression coefficients (natural logarithm of the hazard ratio). The prognostic score was calculated by adding all the scores for individual factors. The rate of survival was 31% at six months and 11% at one year for the patients with a prognostic score of 6 or more. By contrast, patients with a prognostic score of 2 or less had a rate of survival of 98% at six months and 89% at one year. This scoring system can be used to determine the optimal treatment for patients with pathological fractures or epidural compression.