RAPIDLY HIGH DOSE FRACTIONATION SCHEDULE IN THE TREATMENT OF BRAIN METASTASES

In this study the effectiveness of radiotherapy and the parameters that effects it was observed in 36 patients with brain metastases (29 male, 7 female) delivered cranial radiotherapy in short time (5 days) high dose daily fractionation schedule (400 cGy). Clinical and objective response (by the use of CT scan) were obtained one month after the RT schedule. According to this; in 23 (64%) of 36 patients complet response, 7 (19%) patients partial clinical response, 6 (17%) patients stabile illness were observed. Complete objective response was obtained in 12 (33%) patients, partial response in 10 (28%) patients, stable illness in 11 (31 %) and progressive illness in 3 (8%) patients. There was correlation between clinical and objective response in 28 patients and in 6 patients clinical response was better than the objective one. The survey was significantly effected by the Karnofsky Performance Status before the radiotherapy, one lesion, positive objective response and the elevation of Karnofsky Performance Status after radiotherapy. The median survival was 31 weeks. Three months survival was 88% and 10 patients were still alive. As a result; even if the patient number is not high enough, we consider that rapidly high dose fractionation schedule in brain metastases showed similar response with standard therapy.