title: Whole brain irradiation and intrathecal methotrexate in the treatment of solid tumor leptomeningeal metastases--a Southwest Oncology Group study.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: University of Utah Medical Center.
authors.forename: W T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Sause
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Crowley
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Eyre
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Rivkin
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Pugh
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Quagliana
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Molnar
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D008727:Methotrexate