Management of brain metastases in patients with high-risk gestational trophoblastic tumors.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the results of current treatment of patients with brain metastases from high-risk gestational trophoblastic tumors.


METHODS
Consecutive patients treated between June 1981 and the end of 2000 with brain metastases from high-risk gestational trophoblastic tumors were selected from our computerized database.


RESULTS
There were 39 patients with cerebral metastases from high-risk gestational trophoblastic tumors, and 30 (79.5%) of these patients are alive and in remission. Four patients died within 8 days of admission from disease extent. If these four patients are excluded, the survival of the remaining 35 patients is 86%. Eight patients had received prior chemotherapy, and 3 died of the disease. The antecedent pregnancy (AP) was term delivery in 23 (59%), and in 2 of those patients there was a prior history of a molar pregnancy in an AP. Six patients had a history of molar pregnancy as the AP, and in 10 the type of AP was uncertain. The presence of both liver and brain metastases was a particularly adverse prognostic combination, and only one of five patients is still alive in remission. No deaths or relapses occurred beyond 30+ months from the initiation of high-dose etoposide, methotrexate and actinomycin D with cyclophosphamide and vincristine chemotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
With appropriate management, the outlook for patients with brain metastases from high-risk gestational trophoblastic tumors is good, and the majority of patients achieved sustained remission and probably a cure with chemotherapy as the dominant form of treatment. When the tumor is sufficiently chemosensitive, the blood-brain barrier does not prevent disease elimination.
Newlands
Edward S
ES
Department of Medical Oncology, Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Road, London W6 8RF, U.K. e.newlands@ic.ac.uk
Holden
Lydia
L
Seckl
Michael J
MJ
McNeish
Iain
I
Strickland
Sarah
S
Rustin
Gordon J S
GJ
D000328:Adult; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy*; D002423:Cause of Death; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003609:Dactinomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D031901:Gestational Trophoblastic Disease / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D011379:Prognosis; D012074:Remission Induction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D003609:Dactinomycin; D014750:Vincristine; D005047:Etoposide; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D008727:Methotrexate