Cranial irradiation in cancer of the lung of all cell types

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Abstract
The Veterans Administration Lung Group conducted a prospective study of irradiation for subclinical brain metastases in patients with inoperable carcinoma of the lung between 1975 and 1978. Patients were randomized to receive whole-brain irradiation (2000 rad in 2 wk) or no brain treatment, and to receive 1 of 2 regimens of thoracic irradiation. Patients with normal radionuclide brain scans (323) were evaluated. The rate of clinical brain metastasis was 26% for patients with small cell carcinoma vs. 10% for the non-small-cell group. A statistically insignificant decrease in the rate of brain metastasis was found among irradiated patients with small cell carcinoma. The frequency of brain metastasis in the non-small-cell patients was reduced from 13% to 6% by irradiation. Prophylactic cranial irradiation can decrease morbidity from non-small-cell carcinoma of the lung.