Skeletal metastases in 301 breast cancer patients: patient survival and complications after surgery.

ABSTRACT

The aim was to identify prognostic variables associated with survival in 301 breast cancer patients after surgical treatment of skeletal metastases. The study period was 1986-2012. The median age at surgery was 61 (interquartile-range [IQR] 52-70) years. The cumulative 1-, 2-, and 5-year survival after surgery was 45% (95% CI 39-51), 27% (22-32), and 8% (5-12), respectively. The median follow-up time was 1 (IQR 0.2-2) year. Age over 60 years (Hazard ratio [HR] 1.9) and hemoglobin levels <110 g/L (HR 2) increased the risk of death after surgery. Patients with impending fractures (HR 0.4) had a lower death rate. The overall neurological function in patients with spinal metastases improved after surgery (p < 0.001). The complication rate was 25%, including 14% re-operations. Survival data and analysis of complications of this large cohort of surgically treated breast cancer patients help to set appropriate expectations for the patients, families, and medical staff.