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Risk factors and long-term survival in adult patients with primary malignant spinal cord astrocytomas

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Abstract

Primary intramedullary spinal cord tumors are a rare entity, comprising 4–10 % of all spinal cord tumors. The current report presents data on intramedullary spinal cord anaplastic astrocytomas and glioblastomas in adults using the national surveillance, epidemiology, and end results database (1973–2008), and evaluates the impact of demographic and treatment factors on survival. Eighty nine adults were evaluated (mean age of 43 years); 49 % of patients had anaplastic astrocytoma and 51 % of patients had glioblastoma. 88 % of patients had surgical intervention and 85 % of patients had radiotherapy. In univariate analysis, male gender (HR = 0.50, CI: 0.29–0.86, P = 0.01), surgical treatment (HR = 0.37, CI: 0.15–0.93, P = 0.03), and tumor histology (HR = 1.83, CI: 1.06–3.18, P = 0.03) were significant predictors of survival. Results remained significant or marginally significant after multivariate adjustment analyses. Adjuvant radiotherapy and age at diagnosis did not have a significant influence on survival. Future prospective studies from collaborative institutions combining richer detail in perioperative treatment, radiotherapy dosing, chemotherapy treatment, neurologic examinations, functional outcomes, and quality of life measures would contribute to more concrete, evidence-based treatment protocols for adult patients with primary malignant spinal cord astrocytomas.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

    Albert P. Wong, Nader S. Dahdaleh & Zachary A. Smith

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA

    Richard G. Fessler

  3. Department of Cancer Epidemiology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Stephanie C. Melkonian

  4. Section of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave, MC3026, J341, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA

    Yimo Lin & Sandi K. Lam

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  1. Albert P. Wong
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  2. Nader S. Dahdaleh
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Correspondence to Sandi K. Lam.

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Wong, A.P., Dahdaleh, N.S., Fessler, R.G. et al. Risk factors and long-term survival in adult patients with primary malignant spinal cord astrocytomas. J Neurooncol 115, 493–503 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-013-1251-y

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