Resection of brain metastases from non-small-cell lung carcinoma: Results of therapy Journal Article


Authors: Burt, M.; Wronski, M.; Arbit, E.; Galicich, J. H.; The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Thoracic Surgical Staff
Contributors: Bains, M. S.; Ginsberg, R. J.; Martini, N.; McCormack, P.; Rusch, V. W.
Article Title: Resection of brain metastases from non-small-cell lung carcinoma: Results of therapy
Abstract: The treatment of patients with a solitary brain metastasis has been evolving, with most centers recommending resection in patients with good performance status. To evaluate the results of resection of brain metastases from non-small-cell lung cancer, we reviewed our 16-year experience with 185 consecutive patients undergoing resection of brain metastases from 1974 to 1989, inclusive. There were 89 men and 96 women; ages ranged from 34 to 75 years (median 54). Sixty-five (35%) had synchronous and 120 (65%) metachronous brain metastases. Discounting the brain metastases. Discounting the brain metastasis, 68 patients (37%) had stage I, 13 (7%) stage II, 62 (33%) stage IIIA, 30 (16%) stage IIIB, and 12 (6%) stage IV carcinoma. There was no significant difference in age, locoregional stage (TN), or histologic features in patients with synchronous versus metachronous lesions. The overall survival rates (n = 185) were as follows: 1 year, 55%; 2 years, 27%; 3 years, 18%; 5 years, 13%; and 10 years, 7% (median 14 months). There was no significant difference in survival between patients with synchronous and metachronous lesions. To evaluate the impact of locoregional stage and treatment of the primary site, we analyzed only those patients with synchronous brain metastases. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that locoregional stage had no significant effect on survival (p = 0.97), but complete resection of the primary disease significantly prolonged survival (p = 0.002). Therefore complete resection, and not stage, of the locoregional primary lesion is the primary determinant of survival in patients undergoing resection of brain metastases from non-small-cell lung cancer.
Keywords: adult; cancer survival; treatment outcome; aged; survival analysis; survival rate; retrospective studies; major clinical study; conference paper; combined modality therapy; cancer staging; brain neoplasms; neoplasm staging; lung non small cell cancer; lung resection; carcinoma, non-small-cell lung; lung neoplasms; time factors; brain metastasis; brain surgery; middle age; actuarial analysis; prognosis; human; male; female; priority journal
Journal Title: Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
Volume: 103
Issue: 3
ISSN: 0022-5223
Publisher: Mosby Elsevier  
Date Published: 1992-03-01
Start Page: 399
End Page: 410; discussion 410-411
Language: English
PUBMED: 1312184
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Conference Paper -- Export Date: 30 July 2019 -- Source: Scopus
Citation Impact
MSK Authors
  1. Valerie W Rusch
    869 Rusch
  2. Robert J Ginsberg
    178 Ginsberg
  3. Manjit S Bains
    339 Bains
  4. Nael   Martini
    105 Martini
  5. Ehud   Arbit
    66 Arbit
  6. Michael E. Burt
    187 Burt
  7. Marek Wronski
    27 Wronski