Abstract
We evaluated treatment results in 19 patients who underwent surgery at our department between 1988 and 1998. The course was observed for 0.5-81 months (mean, 20.0 months). Six patients survived, but the other 13 died. The site of metastasis was the spine in 9 patients and other areas in 10 (four limbs in 8 patients and the ribs and pelvis in 1 each). Concerning the evaluation methods, the degree of postoperative improvement in paralysis and the quality of life (QOL) were evaluated in the patients with spinal metastasis, and changes in pain and the QOL were evaluated in the patients with metastasis in other areas. The degree of improvement in paralysis was evaluated according to Frankel's classification, changes in pain according to the Verbal Rating Scale (VRS), and the QOL according to the Performance Status. In the patients with spinal metastasis, the paralysis improved after operation in 6 patients and was aggravated in the other 3 while the QOL improved in 4 patients, did not change in 3, and was aggravated in the other 2. In the patients with metastasis in other areas, pain improved in 8 patients and was aggravated in the other 2 while the QOL improved in 5 patients, did not change in 4, and was aggravated in the other 1.
