Short survival after palliative radiotherapy for brain metastases in lung cancer: does the end justify the means?

People with lung cancer (LCa) and symptomatic metastatic disease deserve palliative radiotherapy to promote a better quality of remaining life. On the other hand, in the case being described that of a LCa patient with brain and spinal metastases who died shortly after irradiation-- could management...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAmerican journal of hospice & palliative medicine Vol. 30; no. 4; p. 331
Main Authors Ampil, Federico L, Caldito, Gloria, Mills, Glenn, Marion, Jay, Balandin, Andrei, Ponugupati, John
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.06.2013
Subjects
Adult
Aged
Bone Neoplasms - radiotherapy
Bone Neoplasms - secondary
Brain Neoplasms - radiotherapy
Brain Neoplasms - secondary
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Disease Progression
Female
Humans
Lung Neoplasms - pathology
Lung Neoplasms - radiotherapy
Male
Middle Aged
Palliative Care - methods
Palliative Care - standards
Quality of Life
Retrospective Studies
Spine - pathology
Terminally Ill
Time Factors
lung cancer
radiotherapy
palliative care
brain metastases
spinal epidural metastasis
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Summary:People with lung cancer (LCa) and symptomatic metastatic disease deserve palliative radiotherapy to promote a better quality of remaining life. On the other hand, in the case being described that of a LCa patient with brain and spinal metastases who died shortly after irradiation-- could management consisting of hospice and/or supportive care have been a better choice? Prognostic factors were analyzed in this retrospective study of the early deaths of 20 LCa patients with brain metastases in order to assist in a more rational decision making regarding treatment.
ISSN:1938-2715
DOI:10.1177/1049909112450940