BACKGROUNDTo ascertain the effect of chemotherapy combined with radiosurgery therapy on the brain metastasis of lung cancer.

METHODSTwenty-four non-small cell lung cancer patients with brain metastasis who received radiosurgery and chemotherapy were prospectively observed. Main parameters of treatment program included:(1)brain tumor size range from 1.9 to 26.2m³; (2)median iso-center numbers being 3 (1-7); (3)margin dose being 13.6-22.0 Gy. Chemotherapy regimen consisted of Teniposide (VM26), CCNU and carboplatin (CBP), with VM-26 100mg IV d1-3, CCNU 80mg po d1 and CBP 300mg/m² IV d1, repeated every 4 weeks for 2-4 cycles (CCNU used only in cycle 1 and 3).

RESULTS(1)Major neurological improvement rate was 87.0%; (2)Objective response rate of brain lesions was 58.3%; (3)Relapse rate of new lesions of the brain metastasis during 3-6 months after radiosurgical treatment was 70.8%; (4)Median survival duration was 10 months (range from 3 to 34 months); (5)l-year survival rate was 37.5%.

CONCLUSIONS(1)Chemotherapy combined with radiosurgery in the treatment of brain metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer might be an effective regimen with modest side effect; (2)Relapsing and new lesions in the brain can not be controlled with this treatment.