title: Extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma: An indication for prophylactic cranial irradiation? A single center experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Information about extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma (EPSCC) is limited and the role of prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) is unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  Disease presentation and outcome of all EPSCC at our hospital between 1990 and 2009 were retrospectively analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 30 EPSCC, the male:female ratio was 58%:42%; 83% had a performance status of 0-2. Median age was 71 years (32-80). Seventeen (57%) had limited stage (LS), 13 (43%) extensive stage (ES). The location of the primary tumor was gastrointestinal (n = 8), unknown (6), gynecological (6), urogenital (5), and ear nose throat (5). Four (13%) developed brain metastases (2 ES, 2 LS). In ES, first line chemotherapy (CT) was given in 85%, mostly platinum-etoposide (64%). Response rate was 90%. In LS, CT and radiotherapy (RT) ± resection resulted in persistent remissions in 67% of patients. Median survival was 16 months (1-107 months), 18 months (1-107 months), and 9 months (0.4-25 months) for LS + ES, LS, and ES, respectively. Weight loss ≥5 % and ECOG performance status 3 + 4 were associated with poorer survival (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The incidence of brain metastases was relatively low (13%). More studies are necessary, before routinely offering PCI to patients with EPSCC. Best survival outcomes in LS were achieved with multimodality treatment including CT and RT. Prognosis was poor in patients with ES.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology/Hematology, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland. martin.frueh@kssg.ch
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Früh
authors.forename: Bela
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kacsir
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ess
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cerny
authors.forename: Regulo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: Ludwig
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Plasswilm
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D016371:Cranial Irradiation; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012189:Retrospective Studies