Palliative Radiotherapy for Brain Metastases

Jang, Seong Sun; Park, Woo Yoon; Kim, Won Dong

Abstract

PURPOSE: Radiotherapy has been the mainstay of the treatment of brain metastases. We evaluated the response rate, survival and prognostic factors of patients with brain metastases treated with radiotherapy for palliative purpose.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From January 1994 through April 1997, in all 42 patients, a retrospective analysis was undertaken. Of these, 33 patients received whole brain irradiation with 30Gy in 10 daily fractions with or without a boost of 10Gy in 5 daily fractions to the site of solitary lesion. Nine patients failed to complete the planned treatment.
RESULTS
Of 33 patients who finished radiotherapy, complete and partial response were observed in 4 (12%) patients and 22 (67%) ones, respectively. Overall response rate was 79% and median survival was 4 months. In univariate analysis, prognostic factors affecting survival were initial neurologic function class (p=0.0136), extracranial tumor activity (p=0.042), and response after radiotherapy (p=0.001).
CONCLUSION
We confirmed that whole brain irradiation is the effective means for treating the patient with brain metastases. Initial neurologic function class, extracranial tumor activity, and response after radiotherapy were identified as prognostic factors affecting survival.