Abstract:

Objective To investigate the role of surgical resection in comprehensive treatment for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and solitary brain metastasis. Methods The clinical data of 18 patients with NSCLC and solitary brain metastasis were retrospectively analysed. All patients received both whole brain radiotherapy and chemotherapy after surgical resection of brain metastasis, and 10 of them underwent primary lung tumor resection. Results The median survival time of the patients was 20.8 months, and the 1-year, 2-year and 3-year survival rates were 83.3%, 48.8% and 13.9%, respectively. For the patients with or without primary lung tumor resection, the median survival time was 20.5 months and 25.5 months, respectively (P=0.536). Conclusion Surgical resection of brain metastasis may improve survival of patiens with NSCLC and solitary brain metastasis, while the benefit of primary lung tumor resection on survival of patients is uncertain.

Key words: non-small cell lung cancer, brain metastasis, surgical resection