Radiation therapy in the management of brain metastases from breast cancer

A retrospective analysis of 99 patients treated at Radiumhemmet, Karolinska Hospital 1979-1990 with palliative radiotherapy for brain metastases from breast cancer was performed. A relief of symptoms was obtained in 45% of pa tients. Median time from diagnosis of breast cancer until CNS metastases wa s 33 months. Median survival time with CNS metastases after diagnosis was 5 months. Prognostic indicators for survival were studied. Patients operated for a singular brain metastasis and irradiated postoperatively had a mean survival of 21 months while patients with multiple brain metastases and men ingeal spread displayed a short median survival. Extracranial disease statu s influenced prognosis significantly. Radiation dose (CRE) did not correlat e with survival.