Spinal radiosurgery - efficacy and safety after prior conventional radiotherapy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Conventional external beam radiotherapy is a standard procedure for treatment of spinal metastases. In case of progression spinal cord tolerance limits further radiotherapy in pre-irradiated areas. Spinal stereotactic radiotherapy is...

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Main Authors: Nikolajek Katharina, Kufeld Markus, Muacevic Alexander, Wowra Berndt, Niyazi Maximilian, Ganswindt Ute
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2011-12-01
Series:Radiation Oncology
Online Access:http://www.ro-journal.com/content/6/1/173
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author Nikolajek Katharina
Kufeld Markus
Muacevic Alexander
Wowra Berndt
Niyazi Maximilian
Ganswindt Ute
author_facet Nikolajek Katharina
Kufeld Markus
Muacevic Alexander
Wowra Berndt
Niyazi Maximilian
Ganswindt Ute
author_sort Nikolajek Katharina
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Conventional external beam radiotherapy is a standard procedure for treatment of spinal metastases. In case of progression spinal cord tolerance limits further radiotherapy in pre-irradiated areas. Spinal stereotactic radiotherapy is a non-invasive option to re-treat pre-irradiated patients. Nevertheless, spinal radiosurgery results in relevant dose deposition within the myelon with potential toxicity. Aim of the study was to retrospectively analyse the efficacy and feasibility for salvage radiosurgery of spinal metastases.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>During a period of 4 years (2005-2009) 70 lesions in 54 patients were treated in 60 radiosurgery sessions and retrospectively analysed. Clinical (pain, sensory and motor deficit) and radiological (CT/MRI) follow-up data were collected prospectively after radiosurgery. Pain - as main symptom - was classified by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score. Every patient received single session radiosurgery after having been treated first-line with conventionally fractionated radiotherapy. Kaplan-Meier method and life tables were used to analyse freedom from local failure and overall survival.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>At a median follow-up of 14.5 months the actuarial rates of freedom from local failure at 6/12/18 months were 93%, 88% and 85%, respectively. The median radiosurgery dose was 1 × 18 Gy (range 10-28 Gy) to the median 70% isodose. The VAS score of patients with pain (median 6) dropped significantly (median 4, p = 0.002). In 6 out of 7 patients worse sensory or motor deficit after SRS was caused by local or distant failures (diagnosed by CT/MRI). One patient with metastatic renal cell carcinoma developed a progressive complete paraparesis one year after the last treatment at lumbar level L3. Due to multiple surgery and radiosurgery treatments at the lumbar region and further local progression, the exact reason remained unclear. Apart from that, no CTC grade III or higher toxicity has been observed.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>By applying spinal radiosurgery relevant radiation doses can be limited to small parts of the myelon. This prevents myelopathic side effects and makes it an effective and safe treatment option for well-suited patients. Especially for previously irradiated patients with local failure or pain salvage SRS represents a valuable treatment option with high local control rates, low toxicity and significant pain reduction.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-5fdea0bf5edf4d0aae7993a72252c7d12022-12-21T21:17:56ZengBMCRadiation Oncology1748-717X2011-12-016117310.1186/1748-717X-6-173Spinal radiosurgery - efficacy and safety after prior conventional radiotherapyNikolajek KatharinaKufeld MarkusMuacevic AlexanderWowra BerndtNiyazi MaximilianGanswindt Ute<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Conventional external beam radiotherapy is a standard procedure for treatment of spinal metastases. In case of progression spinal cord tolerance limits further radiotherapy in pre-irradiated areas. Spinal stereotactic radiotherapy is a non-invasive option to re-treat pre-irradiated patients. Nevertheless, spinal radiosurgery results in relevant dose deposition within the myelon with potential toxicity. Aim of the study was to retrospectively analyse the efficacy and feasibility for salvage radiosurgery of spinal metastases.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>During a period of 4 years (2005-2009) 70 lesions in 54 patients were treated in 60 radiosurgery sessions and retrospectively analysed. Clinical (pain, sensory and motor deficit) and radiological (CT/MRI) follow-up data were collected prospectively after radiosurgery. Pain - as main symptom - was classified by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score. Every patient received single session radiosurgery after having been treated first-line with conventionally fractionated radiotherapy. Kaplan-Meier method and life tables were used to analyse freedom from local failure and overall survival.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>At a median follow-up of 14.5 months the actuarial rates of freedom from local failure at 6/12/18 months were 93%, 88% and 85%, respectively. The median radiosurgery dose was 1 × 18 Gy (range 10-28 Gy) to the median 70% isodose. The VAS score of patients with pain (median 6) dropped significantly (median 4, p = 0.002). In 6 out of 7 patients worse sensory or motor deficit after SRS was caused by local or distant failures (diagnosed by CT/MRI). One patient with metastatic renal cell carcinoma developed a progressive complete paraparesis one year after the last treatment at lumbar level L3. Due to multiple surgery and radiosurgery treatments at the lumbar region and further local progression, the exact reason remained unclear. Apart from that, no CTC grade III or higher toxicity has been observed.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>By applying spinal radiosurgery relevant radiation doses can be limited to small parts of the myelon. This prevents myelopathic side effects and makes it an effective and safe treatment option for well-suited patients. Especially for previously irradiated patients with local failure or pain salvage SRS represents a valuable treatment option with high local control rates, low toxicity and significant pain reduction.</p>http://www.ro-journal.com/content/6/1/173
spellingShingle Nikolajek Katharina
Kufeld Markus
Muacevic Alexander
Wowra Berndt
Niyazi Maximilian
Ganswindt Ute
Spinal radiosurgery - efficacy and safety after prior conventional radiotherapy
Radiation Oncology
title Spinal radiosurgery - efficacy and safety after prior conventional radiotherapy
title_full Spinal radiosurgery - efficacy and safety after prior conventional radiotherapy
title_fullStr Spinal radiosurgery - efficacy and safety after prior conventional radiotherapy
title_full_unstemmed Spinal radiosurgery - efficacy and safety after prior conventional radiotherapy
title_short Spinal radiosurgery - efficacy and safety after prior conventional radiotherapy
title_sort spinal radiosurgery efficacy and safety after prior conventional radiotherapy
url http://www.ro-journal.com/content/6/1/173
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AT wowraberndt spinalradiosurgeryefficacyandsafetyafterpriorconventionalradiotherapy
AT niyazimaximilian spinalradiosurgeryefficacyandsafetyafterpriorconventionalradiotherapy
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