The clinical research of the radiotherapy and chemotherapy for patients of brain metastases from lung cancer

Objective To compare the therapeutic effects of brain metastases from lung cancer between radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy and radiotherapy alone. Methods 82 cases with brain metastases from lung cancer were treated from August 1999 to February 2002. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups, including simple irradiation group and combined group. 44 cases in simple irradiation group received whole brain irradiation to a total dose of 30～40Gy; while in combined group there were 38 cases received the same radiotherapy as simple irradiation group but plus chemotherapy with EP or MVP regimen, and in this group each case received 3～4 cycles chemotherapy before, after or during the course of the radiotherapy. Results There were 78 cases completing therapy and making evaluation. The effective rate of combined group( 85.7% ) was not significantly higher than that of simple irradiation group 83.5% (37/43) ( P 0.05 ) . The medial survival time was 5.1 months in irradiation group and 7.3 months in combined group( P 0.05 ). The 1 year survival rate was 9.3% (4/43)in irradiation group and 25.7% (9/35) in combined group. There was obvious difference in median survival time and 1 year survival rate ( P 0.05 ). Conclusion The patients suffered from brain metastases from lung cancer can prolong the survival time by radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy.