Predicting survival of patients with spinal metastatic disease using PathFx 3.0 – A validation study of 668 patients in Sweden

INTRODUCTION: PathFx is a computer-based prediction model for estimating survival of patients with bone metastasis. The model has been validated in several studies, but this is the first validation using exclusively patients with spinal metastases. RESEARCH QUESTION: Is PathFx 3.0 a tool useful for predicting survival for patients with spinal metastatic disease? MATERIAL AND METHODS: 668 patients (67% male, median age 67 years) presenting with spinal metastases at two university hospitals in Sweden 1991–2014 were included. Of those, the majority (82%, n ​= ​551) underwent surgery. Data on all patients was analyzed with PathFx version 3.0, generating a probability of survival at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. The predictions were compared to real survival data and the precision in estimation was evaluated with Receiver-Operating Characteristic curve (ROC) analysis where the Area Under Curve (AUC) was calculated. Brier score and decision curve analyses were also assessed. RESULTS: The AUC for 1-, 3-, 6- and 12 months survival predictions were 0.64 (95% CI 0.5–0.71), 0.71 (95% CI 0.67–0.75), 0.70 (95% CI 0.66–0.77) and 0.74 (95% CI 0.70–0.78). For 18- and 24 months survival the AUC were 0.74 (95% CI 0.69–0.78) and 0.76 (95% CI 0.72–0.81). The Brier scores were all 0.23 or lower depending on the estimated survival time. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: PathFx 3.0 is a reasonably reliable tool for predicting survival in patients with spinal metastatic disease. As the PathFx computer model can be updated to reflect advancements in oncology, we suggest this type of model, rather than rigid point-based scoring systems, to be used for estimating survival in patients with metastatic spinal disease in the future.