Parameters:
(1) WHO (ECOG) performance scale
(2) comorbidity (as measured with the Adult Comorbidity Evaluation 27 = ACE-27)
(3) liver metastases
(4) peritoneal metastases
(5) number of metastatic sites
(6) age
(7) gender
(8) lymph node metastases
(9) brain metastases
(10) pleural metastases
Risk factors for poor survival:
(1) WHO performance scale 2, 3 or 4
(2) ACE-27 indicating moderate or severe comorbidity
(3) presence of liver metastases
(4) presence of peritoneal metastases
(5) >= 3 metastatic sites
Factors associated with a greater likelihood of receiving chemotherapy:
(1) age < 65 years
(2) female gender
(3) WHO performance status 0 or 1
(4) ACE-27 comorbidity none or mild
(5) lymph node metastases
(6) pleural metastases
(7) absence of brain metastases
The authors concluded that some patients with a metastatic cancer from an unknown primary, low comorbidity and good performance status may be undertreated and may benefit from chemotherapy.
