Table 3.
Factors analyzed in univariate cox regression with corresponding hazard ratios and p-values.
| Factor analyzed for association with overall survival | Hazard ratio | 95% CI | p |
|---|---|---|---|
| BASELINE CHARACTERISTICS | |||
| Age at LC diagnosis | 0.718 | 0.475–1.080 | 0.115 |
| Gender | 1.150 | 0.766–1.720 | 0.505 |
| Interval primary diagnosis to LC diagnosis | 1.000 | 0.998–1.000 | 0.313 |
| Metastases outside CNS present | 0.767 | 0.485–1.210 | 0.256 |
| Breast cancer histology* | 0.956 | 0.635–1.440 | 0.830 |
| Lung cancer histology* | 1.160 | 0.727–1.850 | 0.533 |
| RPA class 3 (reference = 1) | 4.935 | 2.165–11.250 | <0.001 |
| RPA class 2 (reference = 1) | 1.334 | 0.592–3.006 | 0.487 |
| GPA score 1.5–2.5 | 0.426 | 0.756–3.096 | 0.236 |
| CLINICAL PERFORMANCE | |||
| Initial KPI | 0.203 | 0.128–0.322 | <0.001 |
| Initial NFS | 0.315 | 0.192–0.517 | <0.001 |
| EXTENT OF CNS METASTASES | |||
| Intracranial LC | 0.944 | 0.622–1.430 | 0.786 |
| Spinal LC | 0.959 | 0.600–1.530 | 0.861 |
| Tumor cells in CSF | 1.150 | 0.768–1.730 | 0.493 |
| Parenchymal brain metastases | 0.856 | 0.538–1.360 | 0.512 |
| TREATMENT AND RESPONSE | |||
| Systemic therapy before start of RT | 0.809 | 0.521–1.260 | 0.345 |
| Systemic therapy after start of RT | 0.507 | 0.331–0.777 | 0.002 |
| Only spinal irradiation | 0.809 | 0.406–1.610 | 0.546 |
| Only WBRT | 0.985 | 0.661–1.470 | 0.943 |
| Both focal spinal and cranial irradiation | 1.080 | 0.724–1.620 | 0.697 |
| Total or subtotal craniospinal irradiation | 0.804 | 0.495–1.300 | 0.376 |
| Prophylactic or therapeutic corticosteroids | 1.010 | 0.552–1.860 | 0.965 |
| Neurologic response to treatment | 0.412 | 0.255–0.665 | <0.001 |
| High-grade myelosuppression after RT | 1.780 | 1.060–3.000 | 0.030 |
| SERUM AND INFLAMMATORY MARKERS | |||
| CRP > 50 mg/l | 1.930 | 0.964–3.880 | 0.063 |
| Higher hemoglobin level | 0.900 | 0.801–1.010 | 0.079 |
| Serum LDH > 500 U/l | 3.620 | 1.760–7.440 | <0.001 |
Significant p-values indicated in bold type.
*
No single histology reached significance in univariate analysis; for better readability only the two largest subgroups are listed. #Reference group: GPA score ≤ 1; only one patient had a GPA score ≥ 3, consequently this group was not considered. LC, Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis; KPI, Karnofsky performance scale index; CNS, central nervous system; NFS, Neurologic function scale; CSF, cerebrospinal fluid; RT, radiotherapy; WBRT, whole-brain radiotherapy; CRP, C-reactive protein; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase.