Brain-only metastases of small cell lung cancer; efficacy of whole brain radiotherapy. An EORTC phase II study

Background and purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of WBRT as a single treatment modality in patients with brain metastases of small cell lung cancer. Patients and methods: The patients had brain metastases of small cell lung cancer without any sign of tumour outside the brain and were treated with 10 x 3.0 Gy WBRT. Response and neurological functions were evaluated after 6, 18 and 36 weeks. Results: Twenty of 22 eligible patients were evaluable for response. In six patients a complete response was seen and in five patients a partial response was seen giving a response rate of 50% (95% CI 28-72%). Response duration was 5.4 months (range 63-260 days) and median survival was 4.7 months (range 14-743 days). In the majority of patients the first site of progression after WBRT was in the central nervous system. Twelve of the patients had stabilization or improvement of the neurological function. Conclusion: WBRT for brain metastases of small cell lung cancer gives a 50% response rate with stabilization or improvement of neurological function. Response duration and survival are short. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.