Spine Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy to Three or More Contiguous Vertebral Levels

BackgroundWith survival improving in many metastatic malignancies, spine metastases have increasingly become a source of significant morbidity; achieving durable local control (LC) is critical. Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) may offer improved LC and/or symptom palliation. However, due to setup concerns, SBRT is infrequently offered to patients with >= 3 contiguous involved levels. Because data are limited, we sought to evaluate the feasibility, toxicity, and cancer control outcomes of spine SBRT delivered to >= 3 contiguous levels. MethodsWe retrospectively identified all SBRT courses delivered between 2013 and 2019 at a tertiary care institution for postoperative or intact spine metastases. Radiotherapy was delivered to 14-35 Gy in 1-5 fractions. Patients were stratified by whether they received SBRT to 1-2 or >= 3 contiguous levels. The primary endpoint was 1-year LC and was compared between groups. Factors associated with increased likelihood of local failure (LF) were explored. Acute and chronic toxicity was assessed. In-depth dosimetric data were collected. ResultsOverall, 165 patients with 194 SBRT courses were identified [54% were men, median age was 61 years, 93% had Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) >= 70, and median follow-up was 15 months]. One hundred thirteen patients (68%) received treatment to 1-2 and 52 to 3-7 (32%) levels. The 1-year LC was 88% (89% for 1-2 levels vs. 84% for >= 3 levels, p = 0.747). On multivariate analysis, uncontrolled systemic disease was associated with inferior LC for patients with >= 3 treated levels. No other demographic, disease, treatment, or dosimetric variables achieved significance. Rates of new/progressive fracture were equivalent (8% vs. 9.5%, p = 0.839). There were no radiation-induced myelopathy or grade 3+ acute or late toxicities in either group. Coverage of >= 95% of the planning target volume with >= 95% prescription dose was similar between groups (96% 1-2 levels vs. 89% >= 3 levels, p = 0.078). ConclusionsFor patients with >= 3 contiguous involved levels, spine SBRT is feasible and may offer excellent LC without significant toxicity. Prospective evaluation is warranted.