Cancer
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
A prospective evaluation of two radiotherapy schedules with 10 versus 20 fractions for the treatment of metastatic spinal cord compression: final results of a multicenter study.
The optimal treatment of patients with metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) is still being debated. The current observational multicenter study, performed prospectively by the authors, evaluated two radiotherapy (RT) schedules and prognostic factors with respect to functional outcome ⋯ Thirty gray per 10 fractions was preferable to 40 Gy per 20 fractions, because it was associated with similar outcome, less treatment time, and lower costs. The type of tumor, pretreatment ambulatory status, and length of time developing motor deficits before RT were relevant prognostic factors and should be considered in future studies.