Radiotherapy and chemotherapy in cerebral metastases.

Abstract

e12515 Background: Cerebral metastases are becoming more evident as the survival of patients and diagnostic methods are improving. Methods: 234 patients with cerebral metastases are discussed.Most patients were in the age group of 51-60 years ( min 23 y, max 79 y). Male to female ratio was 1.86:1. The most common primary tumor was bronchial carcinoma (62.3%), followed by breast carcinoma (14.5%), melanoma (4.5%), gastrointestinal carcinoma (4.5%), ovarian carcinoma (3.2%), hypernephroma (2.7%), testicular tumors (1.8%), cervical small cell carcinoma (1.4%). The primary tumor was unknown in 5.1 %. The patients were treated by various combinations of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery. Stereotactic radiosurgery treatment was not included into this group. Results: Better survival results were achieved in younger patients, median of age being 57 years (p<0.005). Significantly better survival was obtained in patients with breast and ovarian carcinoma, median survival being 11 months (p<0.001). Considering the free interval duration, better results were achieved in patients with longer symptom-free period. If the symptom-free period was less than 3 months, the 1 year survival rate was 10% and the 2 year survival rate wa 2.7%. The patients with the symptom free period of 12 months and more had 1 year survival rate 40.3% and 2 year survival rate 10.5% (p<0.001). Conclusions: The results of patients treated by surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are better than results of treatment by radiotherapy or chemotherapy only, or in combination (p<0.001). Better survival rates are achieved in female patients with breast and ovarian carcinoma. The symptom-free period appears to be significant prognostic factor, reflecting the biology of the primary tumor.