Radiation therapy in the management of brain metastases from breast cancer.
A retrospective analysis of 99 patients treated at Radiumhemmet, Karolinska Hospital 1979-1990 with palliative radiotherapy for brain metastases from breast cancer was performed. A relief of symptoms was obtained in 45% of patients. Median time from diagnosis of breast cancer until CNS metastases was 33 months. Median survival time with CNS metastases after diagnosis was 5 months. Prognostic indicators for survival were studied. Patients operated for a singular brain metastasis and irradiated postoperatively had a mean survival of 21 months while patients with multiple brain metastases and meningeal spread displayed a short median survival. Extracranial disease status influenced prognosis significantly. Radiation dose (CRE) did not correlate with survival.
Fokstuen
T
T
Department of Oncology, Radiumhemmet, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. tonefo@rah.ks.se
Wilking
N
N
Rutqvist
L E
LE
Wolke
J
J
Liedberg
A
A
Signomklao
T
T
Fernberg
J O
JO
D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology