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World J Orthop. Jul 18, 2014; 5(3): 262-271
Published online Jul 18, 2014. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v5.i3.262
Scoring system for prediction of metastatic spine tumor prognosis
Yasuaki Tokuhashi, Hiroshi Uei, Masashi Oshima, Yasumitsu Ajiro
Yasuaki Tokuhashi, Hiroshi Uei, Masashi Oshima, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
Yasumitsu Ajiro, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Surugadai Nihon University Hospital, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-8309, Japan
Author contributions: Tokuhashi Y performed the literature review, drafted the article; Uei H and Oshima M helped in the literature review, revised the article critically for important intellectual content; Ajiro Y helped in the literature review, making tables, checked references; all finally approved for print.
Correspondence to: Yasuaki Tokuhashi, MD, Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nihon University School of Medicine, 30-1 Oyaguchi-kamicho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610 Japan. tokuhashi.yasuaki@nihon-u.ac.jp
Telephone: +81-33972-8111 Fax: +81-33972-8201
Received: December 20, 2013
Revised: March 24, 2014
Accepted: May 15, 2014
Published online: July 18, 2014
Processing time: 211 Days and 5.2 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: Some representative scoring systems for the prediction of metastatic spine tumor outcome were reviewed. Tokuhashi score, Tomita score, and others were introduced. They were useful to roughly predict the survival period, and were utilized for the purpose of decision-making about operative indications and the avoidance of excessive medical treatment. While the function in the patients was associated with the survival period, it was also useful to assess functional prognosis. However, no scoring system had more than 90% consistency between the predicted and actual survival periods. They also need a stronger oncological perspective with adjustment of the process of treatment.