Results of whole brain radiation therapy in patients with brain metastases from colorectal carcinoma |
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Authors: | Amichetti Maurizio Lay Giancarlo Dessì Marina Orrù Silvia Farigu Roberta Orrù Paola Farci Daniele Melis Sandro;Cagliari Neuro-Oncology Group |
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Institution: | Department of Radiation Oncology, "A Businco" Regional Oncological Hospital, Cagliari, Italy. amichettim@yahoo.it |
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Abstract: | 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. |
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