Surgical Treatment Outcomes of Spinal Metastases of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: The First Report of 30 Patients from a Single Center

BACKGROUND: Studies focused on surgical interventions of spinal metastases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (SMNPC) are blank. METHODS: Patients with SMNPC who received surgical treatment in our center between 2005 and 2017 were included. Univariate and multivariate analysis of various clinical characteristics and operation-related data were analyzed to identify the independent factors that affected prognosis. Factors with P values of 0.1 or less were subjected to multivariate Cox regression analysis. P values of 0.05 or less were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients with SMNPC treated with surgery were included. The thoracic spine was the most frequently involved site. The patients in this series achieved good overall survival (OS, 20.26 months) with limited perioperative complications. The univariate analysis suggested that preoperative Karnofsky performance scale, number of spinal metastases, number of visceral metastases, preoperative Frankel score, surgical resection mode and Ki 67 were potential prognostic factors. In the multivariate analyses, number of visceral metastases, preoperative Frankel score and resection mode were found to be independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: This is the first study focusing on surgical outcomes in SMNPC. The thoracic spine was the most frequently involved site of SMNPC. Preoperative Frankel score, number of visceral metastasis and surgical resection mode were independent prognostic factors for SMNPC. Combined with adjuvant therapies, surgical interventions should be recommended early when necessary.