Prognostic factors of patients with spinal chondrosarcoma: a retrospective analysis of 98 consecutive patients in a single center.

PURPOSE

Chondrosarcoma (CHS) in the spine is relatively rare and minimal information has been published in the literature regarding this subject. The objective of our study was to discuss the factors that may affect outcomes of patients with spinal CHS.

METHODS

Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors for recurrence, distant metastasis, and survival of spinal CHS. T test, χ (2) test and rank sum test were used to analyze a single factor for recurrence and metastasis, while survival rate was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Factors with p values of ≤0.1 were subjected to multivariate analyses by binary logistic regression analyses or Cox regression analyses. p Values of ≤0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

A total of 98 patients with spinal CHS were included in the study. The mean follow-up period was 49.7 months (range 6-178). Recurrence was detected in 42 patients after initial surgery in our center, while distant metastasis and death occurred in 24 and 32 cases, respectively. The statistical analyses suggested that pathology grade III was closely related with distant metastasis which was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival. Total en bloc spondylectomy could significantly decrease the risk of recurrence, distant metastasis, and death of patients with spinal CHS.

CONCLUSIONS

Total en bloc spondylectomy could significantly decrease the risk of recurrence and distant metastasis, and meanwhile improve overall survival of spinal CHS. Distant metastasis which was closely associated with pathology grade III was an adverse prognostic factor for overall survival of spinal CHS.