Improved survival after brain metastases in non-seminomatous germ cell tumours with combined modality treatment

Long-term disease-free survival (78 + and 31 + months) has been achieved in two of four patients treated for brain metastases from non-seminomatous germ cell tumours between 1980 and 1984. The incidence of cerebral metastases among 101 patients seen over the 5-year period was 4%. The encouraging results from the use of combined modality treatment, incorporating cisplatin-based chemotherapy, whole brain irradiation and surgery, are reviewed.