Unexpected dementia following prophylactic cranial irradiation for small cell lung cancer: case report.
OBJECTIVE
Prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) is commonly offered to patients with limited stage primary small cell lung cancer following a complete response.


METHODS
We present the unique case of a 76-year-old woman treated with PCI with a dose of 30 Gy in 15 fractions, at 200 cGy per fraction who developed progressive dementia.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first reported case of dementia from PCI at this low dose per fraction. Patients need to be counseled regarding the risks and benefits of treatment, including dementia with treatment and risk of sequelae from CNS metastasis without treatment. The authors review the data supporting PCI and the incidence of radiation associated dementia.
D'Ambrosio
David J
DJ
Department of Radiation Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA. david.dambrosio@fccc.edu
Cohen
Roger B
RB
Glass
Jon
J
Konski
Andre
A
Buyyounouski
Mark K
MK
Feigenberg
Steven J
SJ
D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016543:Central Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000556:secondary; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003704:Dementia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005047:Etoposide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D005047:Etoposide; D016190:Carboplatin