CENTRAL NERVOUS-SYSTEM METASTASES IN SMALL CELL LUNG-CANCER

Abstract

Forty of 156 patients (26%) with small cell lung cancer developed CNS metastases in the course of the disease. CNS metastases were found in 8 patients at the time of the initial diagnosis and 32 patients had subsequent CNS involvement. CNS metastases were usually concurrent with disease progression at other sites and became more frequent as survival increased. With a median survival of 6 mo. in 1973, 19% of patients developed CNS metastases as compared to 35% in 1978, when median survival had increased to 9.5 mo. The value of prophylactic cranial irradiation is discussed.