Patients with brain metastases from gastric cancer

Introduction: The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the treatment strategies and possible prognostic factors in patients with brain metastases from gastric cancers. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 24 patients with brain metastases from gastric cancer who were treated at our center between January 2014 and March 2020. Clinicopathological characteristics and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Results: The median follow-up time was six months (range, 1-40). The median survival time after diagnosis of brain metastases was six months (95% confidence interval: 1.33-10.66). The one- and two-year survival rates were 30.7% and 5.1%, respectively. On univariate analyses, absence of extracranial metastases was significantly associated with better overall survival (OS) but not intracranial progression-free survival (iPFS), while Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS), whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) and systemic treatments were significantly associated with better iPFS and OS. Multivariate analysis showed that ECOG PS, extracranial disease and systemic treatments were independent prognostic factors, while only systemic treatment influenced the iPFS. Two patients achieved partial response, 12 patients had progressive disease, and 10 patients remained stable. Local tumor control in our series was achieved in 50%. One patient, who received a combination of camrelizumab and apatinib therapy following whole brain radiotherapy, achieved an obvious partial response. Conclusions: ECOG PS, extracranial disease and systemic treatments were independent prognostic factors for gastric cancer patients with brain metastases. The present best treatment for this group of patients was individual comprehensive therapy according to the different situation of each patient.