Brain metastasis in resected lung cancer: value of intensive follow-up with computed tomography.
BACKGROUND
Brain metastases are a common mode of recurrence in resected lung cancer and are usually associated with an ominous outcome.


METHODS
To assess the usefulness of follow-up using computed tomography of the brain for early detection and effective treatment of brain metastases, we prospectively studied 128 patients with completely resected non-small cell lung cancer. Follow-up computed tomographic scans were obtained every 2 to 6 months over 24 postoperative months in 69 patients and every 2 months for 6 postoperative months in 59.


RESULTS
Brain metastases were discovered in 11 patients (8.6%), and 7 patients were neurologically asymptomatic when the metastases were diagnosed. Single metastasis was found in 5 patients and multiple metastases in 6. The maximal size of all but one lesion was less than 25 mm. The median survival time and 5-year survival rate in all 11 patients with brain metastases were 10 months and 24%, respectively. Furthermore, those in 7 asymptomatic patients were 25 months and 38%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
We consider intensive follow-up with computed tomography to be worthwhile for early detection and effective treatment of brain metastases in patients with completely resected lung cancer.
Yokoi
K
K
Division of Thoracic Surgery, Tochigi Cancer Center, Utsunomiya, Japan.
Miyazawa
N
N
Arai
T
T
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed