title: Short course prophylactic cranial irradiation for small cell lung cancer.
abstract: Ninety-one patients with small cell carcinoma of the lung were given a shortened, intensive course of prophylactic cranial irradiation consisting of 2,000 rad in five fractions. The CNS relapse rate was 21%, but in only one of 91 patients was the brain the first and only site of relapse. Acute toxicities consisting of headache (16%) and nausea and vomiting (15%) were observed. Results are compared with previous results from other studies of cranial irradiation.
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000528:radiation effects; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000556:secondary; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D009325:Nausea / Q000209:etiology; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects