Radiotherapy plus carboplatin and teniposide in patients with brain metastases from non small cell lung cancer.
BACKGROUND
The role of chemotherapy alone or added to radiation treatment for the palliation of multiple, unresectable brain metastases from non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), is not yet well defined. Carboplatin and teniposide, however, are an interesting combination in this setting since they are active in NSCLC and because of encouraging results against brain metastases in other tumor types.


METHODS
Twenty patients with brain metastases from NSCLC were treated with whole brain irradiation (total dose of 45 Gy) and chemotherapy (carboplatin, 300 mg/sm on day 1 and teniposide, 60 mg/sm on days 1, 2 and 3).


RESULTS
Nine patients (45%) showed a complete remission of neurologic symptoms, and 7 (35%) an improvement. Neurologic signs disappeared in 8 patients (40%) and improved in 7 (35%). Three patients (15%) had partial (50%) regression of brain metastases at CT scan, and also showed response in other tumor sites. One other patient had a response of chest and liver lesions, while the cerebral metastases remained stable. Median survival was 7 months with a range of 1-9 months. Toxicity was mild, with no toxic deaths.


CONCLUSIONS
Aggressive treatment can be taken into consideration also in the case of NSCLC patients with brain metastases and negative prognostic features. Their participation in clinical trials should be encouraged, since this will allow definition of the contribution of combined radiotherapy, chemotherapy and supportive care to the quality and duration of the patient's life.
Pronzato
P
P
U.O. Oncologia Medica, Ospedale S. Andrea, La Spezia, Italy.
Bruna
F
F
Neri
E
E
Roveri
D
D
Trabucchi
A
A
Vanoli
M
M
Vigani
A
A
Vaira
F
F
Losardo
P
P
Bertelli
G
G
D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D016371:Cranial Irradiation; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011379:Prognosis; D011867:Radioisotope Teletherapy; D012074:Remission Induction; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013713:Teniposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003907:Dexamethasone; D013713:Teniposide; D016190:Carboplatin; D010634:Phenobarbital