In a nutshell
This study looked at the benefits of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in treating patients with lung cancer and brain metastases (cancer that has spread to the brain).
Some background
Lung cancer is the most common cause of brain metastases (BM). The usual treatment in this scenario is both radiation and chemotherapy which delays the brain metastases.
Researchers are now looking at another treatment known stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) as a way of treating brain metastases. SRS involves a beam of radiation focused on a very small area, limiting damage to other cells.
Methods & findings
This study examined the safety and effectiveness of SRS in small cell lung cancer that has spread to the brain. The authors looked back at the records of 70 patients treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).
The average 1-year overall survival rate (time from treatment until death from any cause) was 43% and the average 2-year survival rate was 15%. Neurological death-free survival (time from treatment until death due to brain metastases) was 94% at 1 year and 84% at 2 years.
4% of patients experienced a recurrence at the same site as the original brain metastasis at 6 months and 23% at 12 months. 25% of patients developed further brain metastases at 6 months and 47% at 12 months.
In particular the authors noted that the treatment is minimally invasive compared to current treatments.
The bottom line
The authors of the this study concluded that while the results were promising, more evidence and research is needed to prove the effectiveness of SRS for patients with small cell lung cancer and brain metastases.
What’s next?
Discuss the possibility of starting stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) treatment with your doctor.
Published By :
BMC cancer
Date :
Dec 01, 2015
