RADIOTHERAPHY IN BRAIN METASTASES: COMPARISON OF TWO DIFFERENT DOSE-FDACTIONAION

Between 1994 October - 1995 August, 66 cases of brain metastases were randomised 5x4 Gy vs 10x3 Gy to assess the efficacy of these radiotherapy schedules on the palliation and survival. 54 of the cases were male and 12 were female, their ages were between 34-75. The primary tumor was lung cancer in 69.7%, breast cancer in 12.2%, melanoma in 4.5%, renal cell carcinoma in 3% and the primary was unknown in 6.1 %. All cases were assessed for the rate and duration of palliation of the neurologic symptoms, and for the survival and side effects of the therapy as well. Overall palliation was 97% in the whole, the duration of the palliation was longer in the 10x3 Gy arm (median 26 wks. vs 19 wks., P=0.101), survival was also longer in this arm (median 25 wks. vs 14 wks, P<0.013). The patients whom were given additional chemotherapy had a longer duration of palliation (median 46 wks vs 16 wks, P<0.004) and longer survival (median 35 wks vs 13 wks, P<0.001). No serious treatment related complications were occurred other than gastric bleeding in two cases related to corticosteroids and grade III radiodermatitis in one case.

Keywords: brain metastases, dose-fractionation