Table 1

Characteristics of patients at the time of initial surgery for spinal metastases in Ontario, Apr. 1, 2006, to Dec. 31, 2016

CharacteristicNo. (%) of patients*
n = 2646
Age, mean ± SD, yr62.5 ± 12.2
Age, median (IQR), yr63 (55–71)
Female sex1194 (45.1)
Living in rural area321 (12.1)
Neighbourhood income quintile
 1 (lowest)550 (20.8)
 2526 (19.9)
 3491 (18.6)
 4575 (21.7)
 5 (highest)498 (18.8)
 Missing6 (0.2)
Charlson Comorbidity Index, mean ± SD†6.4 ± 1.7
Year of surgery
 2006139 (5.2)
 2007204 (7.7)
 2008227 (8.6)
 2009247 (9.3)
 2010229 (8.6)
 2011254 (9.6)
 2012232 (8.8)
 2013285 (10.8)
 2014257 (9.7)
 2015287 (10.8)
 2016285 (10.8)
Site/type of primary cancer
 Breast462 (17.5)
 Lower gastrointestinal tract165 (6.2)
 Lung71 (2.7)
 Lymphoma52 (2.0)
 Melanoma91 (3.4)
 Myeloma173 (6.5)
 Prostate337 (12.7)
 Thyroid51 (1.9)
 Upper gastrointestinal tract42 (1.6)
 Urinary system286 (10.8)
 Other916 (34.6)

  • IQR = interquartile range; SD = standard deviation.

  • ↵* Except where noted otherwise.

  • ↵† Calculated based on medical history over the previous 3 years.