The role of radiosurgery for multiple brain metastases

The authors evaluated the role of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in patients with multiple brain metastases by analyzing prognostic factors that predict survival.

Between March 1991 and January 1999, 83 patients with multiple brain metastases underwent SRS in which they used a 6 mV linear accelerator. The median radiation dose of 15 Gy (range 6-50 Gy) was delivered to the 40 to 90% (median 87%) isodose line encompassing the target. Actuarial overall survival was calculated from the date of SRS by using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate comparisons of survival between different groups were performed using a log-rank test. All 83 patients were included in the calculation of overall survival. Actuarial overall survival was 22% at 1 year and 13% at 2 years, and a median survival of 5.4 months (range, 0.3-28.8 months) was demonstrated. Variables that predicted survival were Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score, extracranial disease status, and the number of intracranial metastases. Median survival in patients with a KPS score greater than as compared with less than 70 was 9.1 and 2.7 months, respectively (p = 0.002). Median survival when comparing absence and presence of extracranial disease was 9.9 and 4.1 months, respectively (p = 0.02). Median survival in patients harboring two, three, or four or more lesions was 6.6 months, 5.4 months, and 2.7 months, respectively (p = 0.02). In patients with a KPS score greater than or equal to 70 and with three or fewer lesions, median survival was 7 months or longer. In patients with four or more lesions median survival was 7.4 months for those with no extracranial disease and 2.4 months for those with extracranial disease. Other variables tested (sex, histological tumor type, previous resection, location of metastases, treatment modality, and tumor status) did not influence outcome.

The absence of extracranial disease, a KPS score greater than or equal to 70, and fewer number of metastases were shown to be significant predictors of longer survival. Stereotactic radiosurgery appears to be a reasonable therapeutic option in patients with up to three lesions when their KPS score is greater than or equal to 70, regardless of extracranial disease status. In those with four or more metastases, however, SRS should be limited to those with no extracranial disease.