Treatment of nonsmall cell lung cancer patients with synchronous brain metastasis: an analysis of 19 cases

Abstract

Objective To explore whether aggressive treatment of primary focus can benefit nonsmall cell lung cancer(NSCLC)patients with synchronous brain metastasis,and search the appropriate treatment protocols.Methods The clinical data of 19 NSCLC patients with synchronous brain metastasis,received treatment at our Cancer Center from January 2000 to January 2009,were reviewed; their treatments and survival statuses were analyzed.Results Median survival time of these patients was 14.5 months; the 1-year survival rate was 52.6％,and 2-year survival rate was 17.5％.Patients had different survival rates when different treatments were given to the primary focus,and significant difference was noted(x2=10.532,P=0.005); after neurosurgical intervention,patients underwent thoracic operation and chemotherapy(24.9 months)had a significantly longer survival time than those underwent chemotherapy(14.5 months)or palliative therapy(5.4 months,P＜0.05).The survival time of patients with single metastases was 16.3 months,and that of those with multiple metastases was 5.4 months; and significant difference was noted between them(P＜0.05).Conclusion Aggressive therapy including neurosurgical intervention,pulmonary resection and chemotherapy should be recommended for NSCLC patients with synchronous brain metastasis,especially those with single brain metastasis. Key words: Nonsmall cell lung cancer; Brain metastasis; Surgical treatment