title: Short survival after palliative radiotherapy for brain metastases in lung cancer: does the end justify the means?
abstract: People with lung cancer (LCa) and symptomatic metastatic disease deserve palliative radiotherapy to promote a better quality of remaining life. On the other hand, in the case being described that of a LCa patient with brain and spinal metastases who died shortly after irradiation-- could management consisting of hospice and/or supportive care have been a better choice? Prognostic factors were analyzed in this retrospective study of the early deaths of 20 LCa patients with brain metastases in order to assist in a more rational decision making regarding treatment.
authors: Department of Radiology, Louisiana State University Health and Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, Shreveport, LA, USA. fampil@lsuhsc.edu
authors: Federico L
authors: FL
authors: Ampil
authors: Gloria
authors: G
authors: Caldito
authors: Glenn
authors: G
authors: Mills
authors: Jay
authors: J
authors: Marion
authors: Andrei
authors: A
authors: Balandin
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Ponugupati
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013131:Spine / Q000473:pathology; D019452:Terminally Ill; D013997:Time Factors