Prognosis of patients treated with whole-brain radiation therapy for metastatic gestational trophoblastic disease Journal Article


Authors: Schechter, N. R.; Mychalczak, B.; Jones, W.; Spriggs, D.
Article Title: Prognosis of patients treated with whole-brain radiation therapy for metastatic gestational trophoblastic disease
Abstract: We evaluated the effect of multiple treatment- and disease-related variables on the outcome of patients receiving whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) for metastatic gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD). Between November 1967 and December 1994, 21 patients were treated at our institution for GTD metastatic to the brain. All received WBRT, of median 2200 cGy (range 200-3600 cGy). Median follow-up, from date of diagnosis of brain metastases, was 77 months (range 11-170 months). The 5-year actuarial local control of initial brain metastases with ≤2200 cGy was 91%, compared to 24% with <2200 cGy (P = 0.05). The 2- and 5-year actuarial survivals of the 9 patients whose disease was controlled at extracranial sites were 100 and 83%, respectively, compared to 8 and 0%, respectively, for the 12 whose extracranial disease was not controlled (P = 0.0002). Four (33%) of the patients with persistent or progressive extracranial disease later developed new sites of brain metastases, compared to 0% of the patients whose extracranial disease was controlled (P = 0.05). Eleven patients progressed at their initial site(s) of brain metastasis or developed new intracranial lesions; 6 of them died of brain metastases. Survival of patients with GTD metastatic to the brain is excellent if extracranial disease can be controlled. The total dose of radiation is critical in achieving control of initial brain metastases. Patients with uncontrolled extracranial disease are more likely to develop new brain metastases. Salvage of intracranial failures after WBRT is rare.
Keywords: adult; cancer survival; clinical article; treatment outcome; middle aged; survival analysis; cancer combination chemotherapy; cancer radiotherapy; radiation dose; methotrexate; brain radiation; brain neoplasms; salpingooophorectomy; etoposide; cyclophosphamide; vincristine; cranial irradiation; survival time; brain metastasis; dactinomycin; pregnancy; uterine neoplasms; abdominal hysterectomy; trophoblastic tumor; trophoblastic neoplasms; actuarial analysis; humans; prognosis; human; female; priority journal; article
Journal Title: Gynecologic Oncology
Volume: 68
Issue: 2
ISSN: 0090-8258
Publisher: Elsevier Inc.  
Date Published: 1998-02-01
Start Page: 183
End Page: 192
Language: English
DOI: 10.1006/gyno.1997.4920
PUBMED: 9514808
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 12 December 2016 -- Source: Scopus
Altmetric
Citation Impact
BMJ Impact Analytics
MSK Authors
  1. David R Spriggs
    325 Spriggs
  2. Walter   Jones
    95 Jones