Results of a randomized clinical trial comparing two radiation schedules in the palliative treatment of brain metastases.
In 216 patients with brain metastases two schedules of brain irradiation were compared in a randomized trial: one course of 18 Gy/3 fractions/3 days versus the same fractionation followed by a second course of radiotherapy with a one-month time interval. The second course was identical to the first one or delivered 25 Gy/10 fractions/14 days. No difference in overall survival, nor in the neurologic response or in the incidence of complications was demonstrated. Two clinical factors appeared to be prognostic of the overall survival: the presence of multiple brain metastases and the presence of extracerebral metastases.
Haie-Meder
C
C
Department of Radiotherapy, Institut Gustave-Roussy, Villejuif, France.
Pellae-Cosset
B
B
Laplanche
A
A
Lagrange
J L
JL
Tuchais
C
C
Nogues
C
C
Arriagada
R
R
D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms; D016371:Cranial Irradiation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010166:Palliative Care; D011379:Prognosis; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors