title: Systemic Chemotherapy for Progression of Brain Metastases in Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer.
abstract: Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer related mortality in men and women. Approximately 15% of lung cancers are small cell type. Chemotherapy and radiation are the mainstay treatments. Currently, the standard chemotherapy regimen includes platinum/etoposide. For extensive small cell lung cancer, irinotecan and cisplatin have also been used. Patients with relapsed small cell lung cancer have a very poor prognosis, and the morbidity increases with brain metastases. Approximately 10%-14% of small cell lung cancer patients exhibit brain metastases at the time of diagnosis, which increases to 50%-80% as the disease progresses. Mean survival with brain metastases is reported to be less than six months, thus calling for improved regimens. Here we present a case series of patients treated with irinotecan for progressive brain metastases in small cell lung cancer, which serves as a reminder of the role of systemic chemotherapy in this setting.
authors.affiliation: The Vontz Center for Molecular Studies, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
authors.forename: Nagla
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Abdel Karim
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45219, USA.
authors.forename: Ananta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhatt
authors.affiliation: University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45219, USA.
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chiec
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45219, USA.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Curry