TY - JOUR T1 - Karnofsky Performance Score Is Predictive of Survival After Palliative Irradiation of Metastatic Bile Duct Cancer JF - Anticancer Research JO - Anticancer Res SP - 949 LP - 951 VL - 37 IS - 2 AU - DIRK RADES AU - LOUISA BOLM AU - LUKAS KAESMANN AU - TOBIAS BARTSCHT Y1 - 2017/02/01 UR - http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/37/2/949.abstract N2 - 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. ER -