Whole Brain Irradiation for Metastases from Lung Carcinoma

Abstract

Sixty-nine consecutive patients with brain metastases from lung carcinoma were randomly allocated to one of two radiation therapy schedules: 30 Gy/10 fractions/2 weeks or 50 Gy/20 fractions/4 weeks. The improvement rate for neurologic function was similar in the two groups. The median survival times for patients receiving the short course and the long course were 4 months and 3 months, respectively. The half-year survival rate was 42 per cent after the short course and 14 per cent after the long course (p<0.05). Performance status and lactate dehydrogenase were other factors which significantly influenced the half-year survival rate.