Brain Metastasis Velocity: A Novel Prognostic Metric Predictive of Overall Survival and Freedom From Whole-Brain Radiation Therapy After Upfront Radiosurgery Alone for Brain Metastases

Author(s):  
M. Farris ◽  
E. McTyre ◽  
R.T. Hughes ◽  
D.N. Ayala-Peacock ◽  
D.M. Randolph ◽  
...  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii130-ii130
Author(s):  
Ravi Medikonda ◽  
Siddhartha Srivastava ◽  
Timothy Kim ◽  
Yuanxuan Xia ◽  
Mira Patel ◽  
...  

Abstract Brain metastasis is common in patients with breast cancer, and those with triple negative status have an even higher risk. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is preferred to whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) in most patients. However, triple negative status is currently not considered when determining optimal radiation therapy. Given the aggressive nature of triple negative breast cancer, we evaluated a role for WBRT for all patients in this cohort. We conducted a single-institution retrospective cohort study to determine whether triple negative patients with brain metastases have a higher burden of intracranial disease and whether type of initial radiation therapy affects overall survival for this cohort of patients. 85 patients met the inclusion criteria for this study. 25% of patients had triple negative breast cancer, of which 91% received SRS and 53% of patients received WBRT. The average number of new brain metastases from time of initial brain imaging to radiation therapy was 0.67 (St.Dev:1.1) in the non-triple negative status patients and 2.6 (St. Dev:3.7) in the triple negative status patients (p=0.001). Using a cox proportional hazards model, it was found that whole brain radiotherapy does not significantly affect overall survival in patients with triple negative breast cancer (p = 0.96). Our findings highlight the highly aggressive intracranial nature of triple negative breast cancer. Indeed, the rate of increase in brain metastases is significantly higher for triple negative patients compared to non-triple negative patients. As a result, we evaluated whether triple negative patients would benefit from whole brain radiation regardless of findings on initial brain imaging. Despite 53% of patients receiving WBRT, our investigation found that there is no additional benefit to WBRT in triple negative breast cancer patients. These results suggest a need to re-evaluate the role of WBRT in the management of triple negative breast cancer.


2005 ◽  
Vol 91 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurizio Amichetti ◽  
Giancarlo Lay ◽  
Marina Dessì ◽  
Silvia Orrù ◽  
Roberta Farigu ◽  
...  

Aims and background Carcinoma of the colon-rectum is an infrequent cause of brain metastases, constituting 1-5% of all metastatic lesions to the brain. We reviewed our experience in the treatment of brain metastases from colorectal cancer to define the efficacy of whole brain radiation therapy as a palliative measure in this setting of patients. Methods Twenty-three consecutive cases of brain metastasis from colorectal cancer treated between 1999 and 2004 were identified in the files of the Division of Radiotherapy of the A Businco Regional Oncological Hospital, Cagliari. Their records were reviewed for patient and tumor characteristics and categorized according to the RTOG RPA classes. Results Fifteen patients (65%) had multiple metastases. Twenty-one patients (91%) showed extracranial metastases. Fourteen patients were classified as RTOG RPA class II and 9 class III. The median radiation dose delivered was 2000 cGy in 5 fractions in one week (range, 20-36 Gy). In 14 of 20 assessable patients (70%), symptomatic improvement was observed. The median follow-up and survival time for all the patients, 12 females and 11 males, was 3 months. In 3 patients only the cause of death was the brain metastasis. Conclusions Despite the disappointing survival time, external radiation therapy to the whole brain proved to be an efficacious palliative treatment for patients with multiple or inoperable brain metastasis from colorectal cancer.


2011 ◽  
Vol 115 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Rush ◽  
Robert E. Elliott ◽  
Amr Morsi ◽  
Nisha Mehta ◽  
Jeri Spriet ◽  
...  

Object In this paper, the authors' goal was to analyze the incidence, timing, and treatment of new metastases following initial treatment with 20-Gy Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) alone in patients with limited brain metastases without whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT). Methods A retrospective analysis of 114 consecutive adults (75 women and 34 men; median age 61 years) with KPS scores of 60 or higher who received GKS for 1–3 brain metastases ≤ 2 cm was performed (median lesion volume 0.35 cm3). Five patients lacking follow-up data were excluded from analysis. After treatment, patients underwent MR imaging at 6 weeks and every 3 months thereafter. New metastases were preferentially treated with additional GKS. Indications for WBRT included development of numerous metastases, leptomeningeal disease, or diffuse surgical-site recurrence. Results The median overall survival from GKS was 13.8 months. Excluding the 3 patients who died before follow-up imaging, 12 patients (11.3%) experienced local failure at a median of 7.4 months. Fifty-three patients (50%) developed new metastases at a median of 5 months. Six (7%) of 86 instances of new lesions were symptomatic. Most patients (67%) with distant failures were successfully treated using salvage GKS alone. Whole-brain radiotherapy was indicated in 20 patients (18.3%). Thirteen patients (11.9%) died of neurological disease. Conclusions For patients with limited brain metastases and functional independence, 20-Gy GKS provides excellent disease control and high-functioning survival with minimal morbidity. New metastases developed in almost 50% of patients, but additional GKS was extremely effective in controlling disease. Using our algorithm, fewer than 20% of patients required WBRT, and only 12% died of progressive intracranial disease.


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