Efficacy and Health-Related Quality of Life for small cell lung cancer patients after prophylactic cranial irradiation

Abstract

Objective To analyze the survival,brain metastases and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for small cell lung cancer patients after prophylactic cranial irradiation(PCI).Methods From Aug 2007 to Apr 2011,42 small cell lung cancer patients were eligible for analysis.Overall survival rate was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method.The HRQOL scores before and after PCI were compared by the nonparameter wilcoxon test.Results The median survival time from the start of PCI was 23 months(95％ CI,15.05-30.95),progression free survival time was 17 months (95％ CI,14.33-19.67),1-,2-and 3-year survival rates were 85.5％,45.8％ and 36.6％,respectively.The median time from PCI to brain metastases was 15 months(95％ CI,12.44-17.56),1-and 2-year brain metastases rates were 77.6％ and 54.1％.PCI had a little influence on HRQOL scales except for cognitive function.Conclusions For patients with limited stage small cell lung cancer who achieve complete or nearly complete remission after initial treatment as well as patients with extensive stage who respond to initial chemotherapy,PCI is effective in decreasing the rate of brain metastasis and improving survival,while the adverse effects is acceptable.There is no significant impact on HRQOL scales during short term. Key words: Small cell lung cancer; Prophylactic cranial irradiation; Brain metastasis; Health related quality of life; Therapeutic efficacy