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Acta Neurochirurgica
Published in: Acta Neurochirurgica 3/2021

01-03-2021 | Original Article - Tumor - Other

Peri-operative prognostic factors for primary skull base chordomas: results from a single-center cohort.

Authors: Emanuele La Corte, Morgan Broggi, Alberto Raggi, Silvia Schiavolin, Francesco Acerbi, Giovanni Danesi, Mariangela Farinotti, Giovanni Felisati, Alberto Maccari, Bianca Pollo, Marco Saini, Claudia Toppo, Francesca Valvo, Riccardo Ghidoni, Maria Grazia Bruzzone, Francesco DiMeco, Paolo Ferroli

Published in: Acta Neurochirurgica | Issue 3/2021

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Abstract

Background

Skull base chordomas (SBC) are rare malignant tumors and few factors have been found to be reliable markers for clinical decision making and survival prognostication. The aim of the present work was to identify specific prognostic factors potentially useful for the management of SBC patients.

Methods

A retrospective review of all the patients diagnosed and treated for SBC at the Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta” between January 1992 and December 2017 has been performed. Survival analysis was performed and a logistic regression model was used. Statistically significant predictors were rated based on their log odds in order to preliminarily build a personalized grading scale—the Peri-Operative Chordoma Scale (POCS).

Results

Fifty-nine primary chordoma patients were included. The average follow-up from the first treatment was 82.6 months (95% CI, 65.5–99.7). POCS was built over PFS and MR contrast enhancement (intense vs mild/no, value 4), preoperative motor deficit (yes vs no, value 3), and the development of any postoperative complications (yes vs no, value 2). POCS ranges between 0 and 9, with higher scores being associated with reduced likelihood of survival and progression-free state.

Conclusions

Our results show that preoperative clinical symptoms (motor deficits), surgical features (extent of tumor resection and surgeon’s experience), development of postoperative complications, and KPS decline represent significant prognostic factors. The degree of MR contrast enhancement significantly correlated to both OS and PFS. We also preliminarily developed the POCS as a prognostic grading scale which may help neurosurgeons in the personalized management of patients undergoing potential adjuvant therapies.
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Metadata
Title
Peri-operative prognostic factors for primary skull base chordomas: results from a single-center cohort.
Authors
Emanuele La Corte
Morgan Broggi
Alberto Raggi
Silvia Schiavolin
Francesco Acerbi
Giovanni Danesi
Mariangela Farinotti
Giovanni Felisati
Alberto Maccari
Bianca Pollo
Marco Saini
Claudia Toppo
Francesca Valvo
Riccardo Ghidoni
Maria Grazia Bruzzone
Francesco DiMeco
Paolo Ferroli
Publication date
01-03-2021
Publisher
Springer Vienna
Published in
Acta Neurochirurgica / Issue 3/2021
Print ISSN: 0001-6268
Electronic ISSN: 0942-0940
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-020-04219-7

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