BACKGROUNDNow the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with brain metastasis is not a standard program. The aim of this study is to summarize the factors related to survival of patients with brain metastases from NSCLC.

METHODSA total of 111 NSCLC patients with brain metastases (from September 1995-May 2004) were defined as symptomatic group (37 patients) and asymptomatic group (74 patients) according to central nervous system (CNS) symptoms. The patients in the symptomatic group were given whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT, DT 30-40Gy/20f) first, and then received cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The patients in the asymptomatic group were given cisplatin-based chemotherapy first, and then received WBRT. During the treatment, 49 patients received chemotherapy of BCNU or VM-26 irregularly.

RESULTSThe median survival time was 11 months. The 1-and 2-year survival rate was 40.79% and 13.26% respectively. The survival time was not significantly different between the symptomatic group and asymptomatic group. Median chemotherapy of asymptomatic group was 3 cycles (1-6 cycles) before WBRT. Those patients who received 3 or 4 cycles of chemotherapy before WBRT had better survival (P= 0.0188 , P=0.0035). The treatment of BCNU or VM-26 was a benefit factor for survival (P=0.0219) in asymptomatic group. The hematologic toxicity of grade III or IV was not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). The number of brain metastasis (P=0.000), extracranial metastasis (P=0.022) and WHO performance status (P=0.001) were independent prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONSThe patients with asymptomatic brain metastases receive 3-4 cycles of chemotherapy before WBRT may be reasonable. During the therapy, the patients with administration of BCNU or VM-26 may have survival benefit.