PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - DIRK RADES
AU  - LOUISA BOLM
AU  - LUKAS KAESMANN
AU  - TOBIAS BARTSCHT
TI  - Karnofsky Performance Score Is Predictive of Survival After Palliative Irradiation of Metastatic Bile Duct Cancer
DP  - 2017 Feb 01
TA  - Anticancer Research
PG  - 949--951
VI  - 37
IP  - 2
4099  - http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/37/2/949.short
4100  - http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/37/2/949.full
SO  - Anticancer Res2017 Feb 01; 37
AB  - Background/Aim: Palliative irradiation is effective in alleviating symptoms in patients with metastatic cancer in general. However, little data exist regarding irradiation of metastatic bile duct cancer. Selection of the best regimen for such a patient should be based on their survival prognosis. Patients and Methods: This study included five patients irradiated for metastatic bile duct cancer and aimed to identify predictors of survival by analyzing six factors: age, gender, general condition (Karnofsky performance score), metastatic site receiving palliative irradiation, metastases outside irradiated sites and time between diagnosis of bile duct cancer and palliative irradiation. Results: In the whole series, median survival was 3 months. Survival rates at 3 and 6 months were 40% and 40%, respectively. A Karnofsky performance score >70% had a borderline significant association with better survival (p=0.05). Conclusion: Karnofsky performance score was identified as predictor of survival and should be considered when assigning the radiation regimen to patients with metastatic bile duct cancer.