Correlation between actual survival and Tokuhashi and tomita scores in spine metastases

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of the scores of Tokuhashi and Tomita and the actual survival of patients with vertebral metastases.METHODS: A retrospective assessment of 45 patients with spinal metastases. Thirty-one patients underwent surgical treatment and adjuvant therapy and 14 received conservative treatment (chemotherapy/radiotherapy) or palliative/supportive, depending on the scores of Tokuhashi and Tomita.RESULTS: In the study, 80% of patients were female and the mean age was 57.8 years (SD=11.3 years). The most frequent primary tumors were breast and prostate (68.9%). The accuracy of Tokuhashi scale was 53.4% and the Tomita, 64.5%. The concentration of Tomita range of correct classification was in the category of survival > 12 months (57.8%), while the Tokuhashi scale presented some adjustment in the other categories, < 6 months (15.6%) and 6 to 12 months (2.2%). The histological type of the primary tumor was the only variable that statistically influenced the survival time of patients (p<0.001), and patients with lung or liver tumor (most aggressive) presented a risk of death 9.89 times higher than patients with primary tumors of breast or prostate (less aggressive) (95% CI: 3.10 to 31.57).CONCLUSION: The Tokuhashi and Tomita scores showed good accuracy with respect to the actual survival of patients with tumor metastasis in the spine.