Page 117 - Predicting survival in patients with spinal bone metastasesL
P. 117

                                Chapter VI assessed the performance of six predictive models, including our own, on an independent dataset. The Tokuhashi, Bauer, Tomita and Van der Linden models performed similar with a c-statistic of 0.64-0.66 and a 4-month accuracy of 62-65%. The Rades model (c-statistic 0.44) and Bollen model (c-statistic 0.70) had a 4-month accuracy of 69% and 75%, respectively. We therefore concluded that the model created in Chapter IV outperformed the models created prior to this thesis.
Chapter VII aimed to determine the predictive value of the Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS) in a cohort of patients treated with radiotherapy for SBM. Assessment of spinal stability in metastatic disease is challenging and is mostly done by relying on clinical experience, in the absence of validated guidelines or an established predetermined set of risk factors. The SINS provides clinicians with a tool to assess tumor-related spinal instability. However, as was shown in this chapter, clinical applicability of the SINS as a tool to assess spinal instability seems limited.
Finally, Chapter IX draws the conclusions and clinical implications of this thesis and future perspectives for the treatment of SBM are also discussed.
VIII 115
GENERAL SUMMARY
 





























































































   115   116   117   118   119