Involved field radiation therapy after surgical resection of solitary brain metastases--mature results

Brain metastases: Comparing clinical radiological differences in patients with lung and breast cancers treated with surgery

Purpose

Brain metastases (BMs) most frequently originate from the primary tumors of the lung and breast. Survival in patients with BM can improve if they are detected early. No studies attempt to consider all potential surgical predictive factors together by including clinical, radiological variables for their recognition.

Methods

The study aims to simultaneously analyze all clinical, radiologic, and surgical variables on a cohort of 314 patients with surgically-treated BMs to recognize the main features and differences between the two histotypes.

Results

The two groups consisted of 179 BM patients from lung cancer (Group A) and 135 patients from breast cancer (Group B). Analysis showed that BMs from breast carcinoma are more likely to appear in younger patients, tend to occur in the infratentorial site and are frequently found in patients who have other metastases outside of the brain (46 %, p = 0.05), particularly in bones. On the other hand, BMs from lung cancer often occur simultaneously with primitive diagnosis, are more commonly cystic, and have a larger edema volume. However, no differences were found in the extent of resection, postoperative complications or the presence of decreased postoperative performance status.

Conclusion

The data presented in this study reveal that while the two most prevalent forms of BM exhibit distinctions with respect to clinical onset, age, tumor location, presence of extra-cranial metastases, and lesion morphology from a strictly surgical standpoint, they are indistinguishable with regard to outcome, demonstrating comparable resection rates and a low risk of complications.

Fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy of intracranial postoperative cavities after resection of brain metastases - Clinical outcome and prognostic factors

Background and Purpose

After surgical resection of brain metastases (BM), radiotherapy (RT) is indicated. Postoperative stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) reduces the risk of local progression and neurocognitive decline compared to whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT). Aside from the optimal dose and fractionation, little is known about the combination of systemic therapy and postoperative fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (fSRT), especially regarding tumour control and toxicity.

Methods

In this study, 105 patients receiving postoperative fSRT with 35 Gy in 7 fractions performed with Cyberknife were retrospectively reviewed. Overall survival (OS), local control (LC) and total intracranial brain control (TIBC) were analysed via Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify prognostic factors.

Results

Median follow-up was 20.8 months. One-year TIBC was 61.6% and one-year LC was 98.6%. Median OS was 28.7 (95%-CI: 16.9-40.5) months. In total, local progression (median time not reached) occurred in 2.0% and in 20.4% radiation-induced contrast enhancements (RICE) of the cavity (after median of 14.3 months) were diagnosed. Absence of extracranial metastases was identified as an independent prognostic factor for superior OS (p = <0.001) in multivariate analyses, while a higher Karnofsky performance score (KPS) was predictive for longer OS in univariate analysis (p = 0.041). Leptomeningeal disease (LMD) developed in 13% of patients.

Conclusion

FSRT after surgical resection of BM is an effective and safe treatment approach with excellent local control and acceptable toxicity. Further prospective randomized trials are needed to establish standardized therapeutic guidelines.

Management of patients with brain metastases from NSCLC without a genetic driver alteration: upfront radiotherapy or immunotherapy?

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer and the most common cause of cancer-related death in the United States. Brain metastases (BM) are detected in 21% of patients with lung cancer at the time of diagnosis and are the sole metastatic site in 35% of patients with stage IV disease. The best upfront therapy for non-small-cell lung cancer depends on both tumor programmed death 1 ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression and the presence or absence of a targetable genetic alteration in genes such as epidermal growth factor receptor and anaplastic lymphoma kinase. In the absence of a targetable genetic alteration, options include chemotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), and ICI combined with chemotherapy. Upfront local therapy followed by systemic therapy is the current standard of care for the management of BM, and may include whole brain radiotherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), or craniotomy for surgical resection followed by consolidative SRS. This paradigm is effective in achieving local control, but it remains unclear if this approach is necessary for every patient. Prospective and retrospective data suggest that ICIs with or without chemotherapy can have activity against BM; however, appropriately selecting patients who are able to safely forgo local therapy and start an ICI-based treatment remains a challenge. To be considered for upfront ICI-based therapy, a patient should be free of neurologic symptoms, lesions should be small and not located in a critical region of the central nervous system, if corticosteroids are indicated the requirement should be low (prednisone 10 mg/d or less), and PD-L1 expression should be high. The decision to proceed with upfront ICI without local therapy to BM should be made in a multidisciplinary fashion and patients should undergo frequent surveillance imaging so that salvage local therapy can be administered when necessary. Prospective clinical trials are needed to validate this approach before it can be widely adopted.

Different Expression and Clinical Implications of Cancer-Associated Fibroblast (CAF) Markers in Brain Metastases

Aims: This study assessed the expression and clinical relevance of cancer-asssociated fibroblast (CAF)-related biomarkers in brain metastasis (BM). Moreover, molecular characterization of patient-derived primary CAFs and normal fibroblasts (NFs) was performed. Methods: Sixty-eight patients with BM from various primary cancer types were selected. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF) staining were performed to evaluate the expression of various CAF-related biomarkers. CAFs and NFs were isolated from fresh tissues. Results: Various CAF-related biomarkers were expressed in CAFs in BMs of different primary cancers. However, only PDGFR-β, α-SMA, and collagen type I were associated with BM size. PDGFR-β and α-SMA were associated with BM recurrence after resection. PDGFR-β was associated with recurrence-free survival (RFS). Interestingly, high expression of PDGFR-β and α-SMA was found in the patients with previous chemotherapy or radiotherapy for primary cancer. In primary cell culture, PDGFR-β and α-SMA were expressed at higher levels in patient-derived CAFs than in NFs or cancer cells. The origins of CAF in BM were presumed to be pericytes of blood vessels, circulating endothelial progenitor cells, or transformed astrocytes of the peritumoral glial stroma. Conclusion: Our results suggest that high expression of CAF-related biomarkers, particularly PDGFR-β and α-SMA, is associated with poor prognosis and recurrence in patients with BM. With the elucidation of the role and origins of CAF in the tumor microenvironment, CAF can be a new imperative target for BM immunotherapy.

The Debatable Benefit of Gross-Total Resection of Brain Metastases in a Comprehensive Treatment Setting

Simple Summary

In this monocentric retrospective analysis, the extent of resection of singular/solitary brain metastases has no impact on local recurrence and overall survival rates in patients receiving multidisciplinary adjuvant treatment. Since systemic disease progression is the leading cause of death, and an uncontrolled systemic disease status, along with adjuvant treatment, present independent predictors of overall survival, a comprehensive, multidisciplinary treatment concept is essential for patients with brain metastases.

Abstract

Background and Purpose: The value of gross-total surgical resection remains debatable in patients with brain metastases (BMs) as most patients succumb to systemic disease progression. In this study, we evaluated the impact of the extent of resection of singular/solitary BM on in-brain recurrence (iBR), focusing on local recurrence (LR) and overall survival (OS) in an interdisciplinary adjuvant treatment setting. Patients and Methods: In this monocentric retrospective analysis, we included patients receiving surgery of one BM and subsequent adjuvant treatment. A radiologist and a neurosurgeon determined in consensus the extent of resection based on magnetic resonance imaging. The OS was calculated using Kaplan–Meier estimates; prognostic factors for LR and OS were analysed by Log rank test and Cox proportional hazards. Results: We analyzed 197 patients. Gross-total resection was achieved in 123 (62.4%) patients. All patients were treated with adjuvant radiotherapy, and 130 (66.0%) received systemic treatment. Ninety-six (48.7%) patients showed iBR with an LR rate of 23.4%. LR was not significantly influenced by the extent of resection (p = 0.139) or any other parameter. The median OS after surgery was 18 (95%CI 12.5–23.5) months. In univariate analysis, the extent of resection did not influence OS (p = 0.6759), as opposed to adjuvant systemic treatment (p < 0.0001) and controlled systemic disease (p = 0.039). Systemic treatment and controlled disease status remained independent factors for OS (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.009, respectively). Conclusions: In this study, the extent of resection of BMs neither influenced the LR nor the OS of patients receiving interdisciplinary adjuvant treatment.

Image-Guided, Linac-Based, Surgical Cavity-Hypofractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy in 5 Daily Fractions for Brain Metastases

BACKGROUND

Cavity stereotactic radiotherapy has emerged as a standard option following resection of brain metastases. However, the optimal approach with either single-fraction or hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (HSRT) remains a significant question.

OBJECTIVE

To report outcomes for 5-fraction HSRT to the surgical cavity, based on contouring according to a recently reported international consensus guideline.

METHODS

Patients treated with cavity HSRT were identified from a prospective institutional database. Local brain control (LC), distant brain failure (DBF), leptomeningeal disease (LMD), and overall survival rates were determined. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed on potential predictive factors.

RESULTS

One hundred thirty-seven cavities in 122 patients were treated at a median total dose of 30 Gy (range, 25-35 Gy). The median follow-up was 16 mo (range, 1-60 mo). Nonsmall cell lung cancer was the most common histology (44%), followed by breast cancer (21%). In 57% of surgical cavities, the preoperative tumor diameter was >3 cm. One-year LC, DBF, LMD, and overall survival rates were 84%, 45%, 22%, and 62%, respectively. Multivariable analyses identified colorectal (hazard ratio [HR] 4.1, P = .0066) and melanoma (HR 2.4, P = .012) metastases as predictors of local recurrence; preoperative tumor diameter >2 cm (HR 8.9, P = .012) and absence of targeted therapy (HR 4.4, P = .03) as predictors of DBF; and breast cancer histology (HR 2.1, P = .05) and subtotal resection (HR 2.6, P = .009) as predictors of LMD. Symptomatic radiation necrosis was observed in 7 patients (6%).

CONCLUSION

High rates of LC were observed following this 5-fraction HSRT regimen. Superiority as compared to single-fraction SRS requires a randomized trial.

Adaptive radiosurgery based on two simultaneous dose prescriptions in the management of large renal cell carcinoma brain metastases in critical areas: Towards customization

Background:

The long-term benefits of local therapy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) have been widely documented. In this context, single fraction gamma knife radiosurgery (SF-GKRS) is routinely used in the management of brain metastases. However, SF-GKRS is not always feasible due to volumetric and regional constraints. We intend to illustrate how a dose-volume adaptive hypofractionated GKRS technique based on two concurrent dose prescriptions termed rapid rescue radiosurgery (RRR) can be utilized in this particular scenario.

Case Description:

A 56-year-old man presented with left-sided hemiparesis; the imaging showed a 13.1 cc brain metastasis in the right central sulcus (Met 1). Further investigation confirmed the histology to be a metastatic clear cell RCC. Met 1 was treated with upfront RRR. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 10 months showed further volume regression of Met 1; however, concurrently, a new 17.3 cc lesion was reported in the boundaries of the left frontotemporal region (Met 2) as well as a small metastasis (<1 cc) in the left temporal lobe (Met 3). Met 2 and Met 3 underwent RRR and SF-GKRS, respectively.

Results:

Gradual and sustained tumor ablation of Met 1 and Met 2 was demonstrated on a 20 months long follow- up. The patient succumbed to extracranial disease 21 months after the treatment of Met 1 without evidence of neurological impairment post-RRR.

Conclusion:

Despite poor prognosis and precluding clinical factors (failing systemic treatment, eloquent location, and radioresistant histology), RRR provided optimal tumor ablation and salvage of neurofunction with limited toxicity throughout follow-up.

Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy for Large Brain Metastases

Single fraction radiosurgery (SRS) treatment is an effective and recognized alternative to whole brain radiation for brain metastasis. However, SRS is not always possible, especially in tumors of a larger diameter where the administration of high dose in a single fraction is limited by the possibility of acute and late side effects and the dose to the surrounding organs at risk. Hypofractionated radiation therapy allows the delivery of high doses of radiation per fraction while minimizing adverse events, all the while maintaining good local control of lesions. The optimal dose fractionation has however not been established. This overwiew presents available evidence and rationale supporting usage of hypofractionated radiation therapy in the treatment of large brain metastases.

Postoperative local fractionated radiotherapy for resected single brain metastases

PURPOSE

Evaluation of postoperative fractionated local 3D-conformal radiotherapy (3DRT) of the resection cavity in brain metastases.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 2011 and 2016, 57 patients underwent resection of a single, previously untreated (37/57, 65%) or recurrent (20/57, 35%) brain metastasis (median maximal diameter 3.5 cm [1.1-6.5 cm]) followed by 3DRT. For definition of the gross tumor volume (GTV), the resection cavity was used and for the clinical target volume (CTV), margins of 1.0-1.5 cm were added. Median dose was 48.0 Gy (30.0-50.4 Gy) in 25 (10-28) fractions; most patients had 36.0-42.0 Gy in 3.0 Gy fractions (n = 16, EQD2_10Gy 39.0-45.5 Gy) or 40.0-50.4 Gy in 1.8-2.0 Gy fractions (n = 37, EQD2_10Gy 39.3-50.0 Gy).

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 18 months. Local control rates were 83% at 1 year and 78% at 2 years and were significantly influenced by histology (breast cancer 100%, non-small lung cancer 87%, melanoma 80%, colorectal cancer 26% at 2 years, p = 0.006) and resection status (p < 0.0001), but not by EQD2_10Gy or size of the planning target volume (median 96.7 ml [16.7-282.8 ml]). At 1 and 2 years, 74% and 52% of the patients were free from distant brain metastases. Salvage procedures were applied in 25/27 (93%) of recurrent patients. Survival was 68% at 1 year and 41% at 2 years and was significantly improved in younger patients (p = 0.006) with higher Karnofsky performance score (p < 0.0001) and without prior radiotherapy (54% vs. 9% at 2 years, p = 0.006). No cases of radiographic or symptomatic radionecrosis were observed.

CONCLUSION

Adjuvant fractionated local 3DRT is highly effective in radiosensitive, completely resected metastases and should be considered for treating large resection cavities as an alternative to postoperative stereotactic single dose or hypofractionated radiosurgery.

Combined FET PET/MRI radiomics differentiates radiation injury from recurrent brain metastasis

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of combined textural feature analysis of contrast-enhanced MRI (CE-MRI) and static O-(2-[¹⁸F]fluoroethyl)-L-tyrosine (FET) PET for the differentiation between local recurrent brain metastasis and radiation injury since CE-MRI often remains inconclusive.

Methods

Fifty-two patients with new or progressive contrast-enhancing brain lesions on MRI after radiotherapy (predominantly stereotactic radiosurgery) of brain metastases were additionally investigated using FET PET. Based on histology (n = 19) or clinicoradiological follow-up (n = 33), local recurrent brain metastases were diagnosed in 21 patients (40%) and radiation injury in 31 patients (60%). Forty-two textural features were calculated on both unfiltered and filtered CE-MRI and summed FET PET images (20–40 min p.i.), using the software LIFEx. After feature selection, logistic regression models using a maximum of five features to avoid overfitting were calculated for each imaging modality separately and for the combined FET PET/MRI features. The resulting models were validated using cross-validation. Diagnostic accuracies were calculated for each imaging modality separately as well as for the combined model.

Results

For the differentiation between radiation injury and recurrence of brain metastasis, textural features extracted from CE-MRI had a diagnostic accuracy of 81% (sensitivity, 67%; specificity, 90%). FET PET textural features revealed a slightly higher diagnostic accuracy of 83% (sensitivity, 88%; specificity, 75%). However, the highest diagnostic accuracy was obtained when combining CE-MRI and FET PET features (accuracy, 89%; sensitivity, 85%; specificity, 96%).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that combined FET PET/CE-MRI radiomics using textural feature analysis offers a great potential to contribute significantly to the management of patients with brain metastases.

•

Differentiation between brain metastasis recurrence and radiation injury is of high clinical importance.

•

Differentiation based on contrast-enhanced conventional MRI is often inconclusive.

•

Radiomics and hybrid amino acid PET/MR imaging are increasingly gaining attention in Neuro-Oncology.

•

We investigated the potential of combined PET/MRI radiomics analysis using MRI and FET PET in patients with brain metastases.

•

Combined PET/MRI radiomics allows the differentiation of brain metastasis recurrence from radiation injury with high accuracy.

Evaluation of Stereotactic Radiotherapy of the Resection Cavity After Surgery of Brain Metastases Compared to Postoperative Whole-Brain Radiotherapy (ESTRON)—A Single-Center Prospective Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND

Neurosurgical resection is recommended for symptomatic brain metastases, in oligometastatic patients or for histology acquisition. Without adjuvant radiotherapy, roughly two-thirds of the patients relapse at the resection site within 24 mo, while the risk of new metastases in the untreated brain is around 50%. Adjuvant whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) can reduce the risk of both scenarios of recurrence significantly, although the associated neurocognitive toxicity is substantial, while stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) improves local control at comparably low toxicity.

OBJECTIVE

To compare locoregional control and treatment-associated toxicity for postoperative SRT and WBRT after the resection of 1 brain metastasis in a single-center prospective randomized study.

METHODS

Fifty patients will be randomized to receive either hypofractionated SRT of the resection cavity and single- or multisession SRT of all unresected brain metastases (up to 10 lesions) or WBRT. Patients will be followed-up regularly and the primary endpoint of neurological progression-free survival will be assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Quality of life and neurocognition will be assessed in 3-mo intervals using standardized tests and EORTC questionnaires.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

We expect to show that postoperative SRT of the resection cavity and further unresected brain metastases is a valid means of improving locoregional control over observation at less neurocognitive toxicity than caused by WBRT.

DISCUSSION

The present study is the first to compare locoregional control as well as neurocognitive toxicity for postoperative SRT and WBRT in patients with up to 10 metastases, while utilizing a highly sensitive and standardized MRI protocol for treatment planning and follow-up.

Prolonged survival of patients with EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer with solitary brain metastases treated with surgical resection of brain and lung lesions followed by EGFR TKIs

BACKGROUND

The standard combination of initial and subsequent treatments of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with solitary brain metastases (BM) remain unclear. Thus, the management options and the progression-free survival (PFS) and the overall survival (OS) of EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients with solitary BM were investigated in the study.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data from NSCLC patients who harbored EGFR mutations and who presented solitary BM at diagnosis in our institute between 2012 and 2014. PFS and OS were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier methods and compared using log-rank tests.

RESULTS

In total, 36 NSCLC patients with solitary BM who harbored EGFR mutations were enrolled in this study. The PFS and OS of these patients was 12.4 and 19.3 months, respectively. Sixteen patients underwent surgical resection of brain and lung lesions followed by EGFR-TKIs treatment, and the median OS was 28.0 months, which was significantly longer than 16.4 months of 14 patients received radiotherapy combined with or followed by EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and 15.8 months of 6 patients received radiotherapy followed by chemotherapy. The median PFS also showed the same trend in each group (16.1, 10.4, and 9.8 months, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The survival was extended in the patients receiving surgical resection of brain and lung lesions followed by EGFR-TKIs treatment, and surgery combined with EGFR-TKIs could be a recommended treatment for EGFR mutated NSCLC patients with solitary BM.

Hypofractionated Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Radiotherapy to Large Resection Cavity of Metastatic Brain Tumors

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of postoperative fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery (FSRS) and hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) to large surgical cavities after gross total resection of brain metastases.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 41 patients who had received tumor-bed FSRS (5 fractions) or SRT (10 fractions) after resection of brain metastasis between 2005 and 2015 was performed. All resection cavities were treated with a frameless linear accelerator-based system. Patients who underwent subtotal resection, single-dose SRS to the resection cavity, or were treated with a fractionation schedule other than 5 or 10 fractions, were excluded.

RESULTS

Twenty-six patients were treated with 5 fractions and 15 patients with 10 fractions. The median planning target volume was 19.78 cm³ (12.3-28 cm³) to the 5-fraction group and 29.79 cm³ (26.3-47.6 cm³) to the 10-fraction group (P = 0.020). The 1-year and 2-year local control rates for all patients were 89.4% and 77.1%, respectively, and 89.6% and 78.6% were free from distant intracranial progression, respectively. No difference was observed in local control or freedom from distant intracranial progression between the 5-fraction or 10-fraction groups. The median overall survival was 28.27 months (95% confidence interval, 19.42-37.12) for all patients. No patient developed necrosis at the resection cavity.

CONCLUSIONS

Fractionation offers the potential to exploit the different biological responses between neoplastic and normal tissues to ionizing radiation. The use of 5 daily doses of 5-6 Gy or 10 daily doses of 3 Gy is a good strategy to have a reasonable local control and avoid neurotoxicity.

Central nervous system involvement in breast cancer patients: Is the therapeutic landscape changing too slowly?

Central nervous system (CNS) involvement from breast cancer (BC) has been historically considered a relatively rare event. However, the development of new therapeutic strategies with a better control of extra-cranial disease and a longer overall survival (OS) has determined an increased incidence of brain metastases. Patients with HER2-positive or triple negative BC have higher occurrence of CNS involvement than patients with luminal-like disease. Moreover, after development of brain metastases, the prognosis is highly influenced by biological subtype. In patients with multiple brain metastases who experience important neurological symptoms, palliative treatment, with or without whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT), needs to be considered the first step of a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach. Patients with a good performance status and 1-3 brain lesions should be considered for radical surgery; patients technically inoperable with 4-5 metastases smaller than 3cm may undergo stereotactic radiosurgery. The role of systemic therapy in the management of patients with brain metastases is controversial. Preliminary data suggest that systemic therapy after WBRT may improve survival in BC patients with brain lesions. In patients with HER2-positive disease, several retrospective or post hoc analyses showed a longer brain progression-free survival with trastuzumab in combination with or followed by other anti-HER2 drugs (such as pertuzumab, lapatinib, and T-DM1). Until now, no new strategies or drugs are available for triple-negative and luminal-like BC.

Treatment of brain oligometastases with hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy utilising volumetric modulated arc therapy

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is commonly used to treat brain metastases, particularly in the oligometastatic setting. This study analyses our initial experience in treating oligometastatic brain disease using Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) to deliver hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (HFSRT). Sixty-one patients were treated with HFSRT with a median dose of 24 Gy (range 22-40 Gy) in a median of three fractions (range 2-10 fractions). With a median follow-up of 23 months, the local control rate was 74 % for the entire cohort. Local control was 87 % for patients who had surgery with no radiological evidence of residual disease followed by HFSRT compared with 69 % in patients treated with HFSRT alone. The overall median time post radiotherapy to local failure was 8.6 months and to extracranial failure was 7.9 months. The mean time to distant brain failure was 9.9 months. Twenty-two patients (36 %) died during the study with median time to death of 4.4 months. Median overall survival (OS) from treatment was 21 months and 12 month OS was 60 %. Our experience with HFSRT using VMAT for oligometastatic brain metastases in the post-operative setting demonstrates comparable local control and survival rates compared with international published data. In the intact brain metastasis setting, local control using the dose levels and delivery in this cohort may be inferior to radio-surgical series. Local control is independent of histology. Careful selection of patients remains critical.

Resection Followed by Involved-Field Fractionated Radiotherapy in the Management of Single Brain Metastasis

Introduction

We expanded upon our previous experience using involved-field fractionated radiotherapy (IFRT) as an alternative to whole brain radiotherapy or stereotactic radiosurgery for patients with surgically resected brain metastases (BM).

Materials and methods

All patients with single BM who underwent surgical resection followed by IFRT at our institution from 2006 to 2013 were evaluated. Local recurrence (LR)-free survival, distant failure (DF)-free survival, and overall survival (OS) were determined. Analyses were performed associating clinical variables with LR and DF. Salvage approaches and toxicity of treatment for each patient were also assessed.

Results

Median follow-up was 19.1 months. Fifty-six patients were treated with a median dose of 40.05 Gy/15 fractions with IFRT to the resection cavity. LR-free survival was 91.4%, DF-free survival was 68.4%, and OS was 77.7% at 12 months. No variables were associated with increased LR; however, melanoma histopathology and infratentorial location were associated with DF on multivariate analysis. LRs were salvaged in 5/8 patients, and DFs were salvaged in 24/29 patients. Two patients developed radionecrosis.

Conclusion

Adjuvant IFRT is feasible and safe for well-selected patients with surgically resected single BM. Acceptable rates of local control and salvage of distal intracranial recurrences continue to be achieved with continued follow-up.

Patients with single brain metastasis from non-small cell lung cancer equally benefit from stereotactic radiosurgery and surgery: a systematic review

Background

The appropriate treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with single brain metastasis (SBM) is still controversial. A systematic review was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of neurosurgery and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in patients with SBM from NSCLC.

Material/Methods

PUBMED, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Knowledge, Current Controlled Trials, Clinical Trials, and 2 conference websites were searched to select NSCLC patients with only SBM who received brain surgery or SRS. SPSS 18.0 software was used to analyze the mean median survival time (MST) and Stata 11.0 software was used to calculate the overall survival (OS).

Results

A total of 18 trials including 713 patients were systematically reviewed. The MST of the patients was 12.7 months in surgery group and 14.85 months in SRS group, respectively. The 1, 2, and 5 years OS of the patients were 59%, 33%, and 19% in surgery group, and 62%, 33%, and 14% in SRS group, respectively. Furthermore, in the surgery group, the 1 and 3 years OS were 68% and 15% in patients with controlled primary tumors, and 50% and 13% in the other patients with uncontrolled primary tumors, respectively. Interestingly, the 5-year OS was up to 21% in patients with controlled primary tumors.

Conclusions

There was no significant difference in MST or OS between patients treated with neurosurgery and SRS. Patients with resectable lung tumors and SBM may benefit from the resection of both primary lesions and metastasis.

Stereotactic radiosurgery for treatment of brain metastases. A report of the DEGRO Working Group on Stereotactic Radiotherapy

BACKGROUND

This report from the Working Group on Stereotaktische Radiotherapie of the German Society of Radiation Oncology (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Radioonkologie, DEGRO) provides recommendations for the use of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) on patients with brain metastases. It considers existing international guidelines and details them where appropriate.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The main recommendations are: Patients with solid tumors except germ cell tumors and small-cell lung cancer with a life expectancy of more than 3 months suffering from a single brain metastasis of less than 3 cm in diameter should be considered for SRS. Especially when metastases are not amenable to surgery, are located in the brain stem, and have no mass effect, SRS should be offered to the patient. For multiple (two to four) metastases--all less than 2.5 cm in diameter--in patients with a life expectancy of more than 3 months, SRS should be used rather than whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT). Adjuvant WBRT after SRS for both single and multiple (two to four) metastases increases local control and reduces the frequency of distant brain metastases, but does not prolong survival when compared with SRS and salvage treatment. As WBRT carries the risk of inducing neurocognitive damage, it seems reasonable to withhold WBRT for as long as possible.

CONCLUSION

A single (marginal) dose of 20 Gy is a reasonable choice that balances the effect on the treated lesion (local control, partial remission) against the risk of late side effects (radionecrosis). Higher doses (22-25 Gy) may be used for smaller (< 1 cm) lesions, while a dose reduction to 18 Gy may be necessary for lesions greater than 2.5-3 cm. As the infiltration zone of the brain metastases is usually small, the GTV-CTV (gross tumor volume-clinical target volume) margin should be in the range of 0-1 mm. The CTV-PTV (planning target volume) margin depends on the treatment technique and should lie in the range of 0-2 mm. Distant brain recurrences fulfilling the aforementioned criteria can be treated with SRS irrespective of previous WBRT.