Spine is the primary bone site affected by systemic metastasis. Although there are scales that attempt to manage these patients, their real applicability is unknown. The Tokuhashi Scoring System (TSS) is a widely used prognostic tool. At the time of treatment, the data necessary to complete TSS may be incomplete, making its application impossible.
Objective
To evaluate the number of TSS scores completed by the time the clinical therapeutic decision was made.
Methods
From July 2010 to January 2012, we selected patients who were diagnosed with spinal metastases.
Results
Sixty spinal metastasis patients (21 female, 39 male) were evaluated between July 2010 and January 2012. At the time of the treatment decision, only 25% of the patients had completed the TSS items.
Conclusion
In the majority of patients with vertebral metastasis, TSS variables cannot be applied.
neoplasm metastasis; spinal diseases; prognosis