Maximum Diameter of Intracranial Metastatic Lesions as a Prognostic Factor in Patients Following Whole Brain Radiotherapy

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate whetehr maximum diameter of intracranial metastatic lesions may be a prognostic factor in intracranial metastatic patients receiving whole brain radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: The records of 114 cases who between January 2005 and December 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 85 who met the inclusion criteria. Results: In these 85, the oneyear overall survival rate was 16.5% and the median survival time was 125 days. Median survival in relation to recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) classes I, II and III were 216, 133 and 85 days. Logrank tests of initial prognostic factors were significant for RPA classifications, Karnofsky Performance Status(KPS), maximum diameters of intracranial metastatic lesions and presence of necrotic centers. The median survivals with a maximum diameter of the largest intracranial metastatic lesion <3cm and 3cm were 162 days and 104 days (p0.027). Multivariate analysis also showed a statistical significance for maximum diameter of intracranial metastatic lesions and presence of necrotic centers. Conclusions: Maximum diameters of intracranial metastatic lesions could be used as a prognostic factor in patients receiving whole brain radiotherapy and may help radiation oncologists to make decisions on treatment plans.