Prophylactic cranial irradiation or MRI surveillance for extensive stage small cell lung cancer

The treatment paradigm for extensive stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) is evolving. Prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) has long been considered a component of standard treatment in patients with extensive stage disease who respond to chemotherapy. However, in the modern era of magnetic resonance imaging, the role of PCI has become an area of controversy following conflicting level I evidence. Due to conflicting data and toxicity concerns, the routine use of PCI has declined. Recent improvements in systemic disease control with the use of immunotherapy and reductions in the toxicity attributable to PCI with hippocampal avoidance and memantine have reignited the discussion. As such, we present here a narrative review of PCI with a focus on historical milestones, randomized data, risk mitigation and future directions.