Whole brain irradiation and intrathecal methotrexate in the treatment of solid tumor leptomeningeal metastases--a Southwest Oncology Group study.
From 1981 through 1985 the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) conducted a study evaluating the natural history and the effectiveness of standard therapy in those patients with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis from non-hematologic malignancies. Twenty-six patients were evaluated for the effectiveness of treatment; those who responded to therapy by one month exhibited a median additional survival of 5.7 months and those who were not responders at one month exhibited a median additional survival of 1.8 months. We were unable to identify pre-treatment clinical characteristics which would predict for a favorable response to therapy. Aggressive treatment in some patients may be indicated, as those patients who respond to treatment may have a survival benefit. The overall prognosis in this patient group remains exceedingly poor.
Sause
W T
WT
University of Utah Medical Center.
Crowley
J
J
Eyre
H J
HJ
Rivkin
S E
SE
Pugh
R P
RP
Quagliana
J M
JM
Taylor
S A
SA
Molnar
B
B
D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary*; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged
D008727:Methotrexate