Survival of women with spinal compression syndrome due to bone metastasis secondary to breast cancer

Abstract

Objective: describe the characteristics, associated prognostic factors and overall survival of patients with spinal compression syndrome after bone metastasis in breast cancer patients. Method: A survival study was performed in women with breast cancer and bone me­tastasis, with diagnosis of radicular and/or spinal compression syn­drome at a single institution. We retrospectively collect the variables related to demographic characteristics (age, marital status and educa­tion) and clinical information (clinical stage, surgical treatment of breast cancer, site of metastasis, type of compression syndrome and death). Outcome was considered the occurrence of death and cen­sures, the cases alive at the last follow-up. Cox regression was used on a statistically significant level of 95%. Results: Thirty-six cases were included. Median time between breast cancer diagnosis and bone metastasis was 17 months (0–167), and median time to compression syndrome was 30 months (0–167). Death occurred in 92% of cases, a median of 22 months (1–99) after bone metastasis diagnosis and 9 months (0–47) after diagnosis of compression syndrome. The only variable that was associated with increased survival after compres­sion syndrome was the use of bisphosphonates after bone metastasis. Conclusion: Overall survival was 22 months after diagnosis of bone metastasis and 9 months after compression syndrome. Patients that had used bisphosphonates had increased survival after compression syndrome.