Release date: 2007-06-11
Prophylactic brain radiation has shown promising results in improving survival for patients with advanced lung cancer, particularly those with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). This treatment, known as preventive cranial radiation, is effective in reducing the risk of brain metastases and can significantly enhance patient outcomes. Recent research highlights that even patients with extensive disease who respond to chemotherapy may benefit from this approach.
Dr. Ben Slotman, a leading expert in radiation oncology at VU University Medical Center in the Netherlands, emphasized the importance of addressing brain metastasis, which is a common complication in SCLC. He noted that while previous studies have demonstrated the benefits of prophylactic cranial radiation in limited-stage SCLC, current findings suggest that all patients with SCLC who respond to chemotherapy could gain from this treatment.
In a major clinical trial, 286 patients with extensive SCLC and any response to chemotherapy were randomly assigned to either receive prophylactic cranial radiation or no radiation. The treatment involved delivering 20 to 30 Gy over 5 to 12 sessions within one to two weeks. Patients generally tolerated the therapy well, with mild side effects such as headaches, nausea, and fatigue being the most common. Importantly, the treatment did not negatively impact quality of life.
The study found that prophylactic cranial radiation significantly reduced the risk of developing symptomatic brain metastases, with a hazard ratio of 0.27. At one year, the cumulative incidence of brain metastases was 14.6% in the radiation group compared to 40.4% in the control group. Additionally, patients who received radiation experienced improved progression-free and overall survival. One-year survival rates were 27.1% in the radiation group versus 13.3% in the non-radiation group.
Dr. Slotman highlighted that these results mark a meaningful advancement in the treatment of advanced SCLC, as progress in this area has been limited over the past two decades. Based on the study's findings, he advocates for the routine use of preventive cranial radiation in all SCLC patients who respond to chemotherapy. ——Shanghai Medical Device Industry Association Network
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