Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of our study was to assess the feasibility and oncologic outcomes in patients treated with spinal (SI) or craniospinal irradiation (CSI) in patients with leptomeningeal metastases (LM) and to suggest a prognostic score as to which patients are most likely to benefit from this treatment.MethodsNineteen patients treated with CSI at our institution were eligible for the study. Demographic data, primary tumor characteristics, outcome and toxicity were assessed retrospectively. The extent of extra-CNS disease was defined by staging CT-scans before the initiation of CSI. Based on outcome parameters a prognostic score was developed for stratification based on patient performance status and tumor staging.ResultsMedian follow-up and overall survival (OS) for the whole group was 3.4 months (range 0.5–61.5 months). The median overall survival (OS) for patients with LM from breast cancer was 4.7 months and from NSCLC 3.3 months. The median OS was 7.3 months, 3.3 months and 1.5 months for patients with 0, 1 and 2 risk factors according to the proposed prognostic score (KPS < 70 and the presence of extra-CNS disease) respectively. Nonhematologic toxicities were mild.ConclusionCSI demonstrated clinically meaningful survival that is comparable to the reported outcome of intrathecal chemotherapy. A simple scoring system could be used to better select patients for treatment with CSI in this palliative setting. In our opinion, the feasibility of performing CSI with modern radiotherapy techniques with better sparing of healthy tissue gives a further rationale for its use also in the palliative setting.
Highlights
The aim of our study was to assess the feasibility and oncologic outcomes in patients treated with spinal (SI) or craniospinal irradiation (CSI) in patients with leptomeningeal metastases (LM) and to suggest a prognostic score as to which patients are most likely to benefit from this treatment
Tumor spread to the leptomeninges (leptomeningeal metastases (LM)) poses a serious condition which leads to rapid deterioration and is associated with dismal prognosis
Boost dose per fraction varied between 1.8–3 Gy; one patient had a radiosurgery boost to four cerebral metastases with 16 Gy
Summary
The aim of our study was to assess the feasibility and oncologic outcomes in patients treated with spinal (SI) or craniospinal irradiation (CSI) in patients with leptomeningeal metastases (LM) and to suggest a prognostic score as to which patients are most likely to benefit from this treatment. Tumor spread to the leptomeninges (leptomeningeal metastases (LM)) poses a serious condition which leads to rapid deterioration and is associated with dismal prognosis. Neoplastic meningitis occurs in 3–5% of patients with cancer [1]. Around 70% of LM usually presents in patients with widely-metastatic and progressive cancer, in 5–10% LM can be the only manifestation of cancer [2]. LM can be the only presentation of the malignant disease. The most common tumors that present with LM are breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and melanoma [3, 4]. Some lymphomas have a high risk of CNS dissemination [5]
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