Aim: To report the survival outcomes of patients with multiple brain metastases treated with whole-brain radiotherapy.
Patients & methods: From 2004 to 2012, patients with brain metastases treated with whole-brain radiotherapy were included. Overall survival (OS) was calculated from the start of radiation treatment. Univariate and multivariate proportional hazard model of OS was conducted. Generalized R(2) statistic (ranged from 0 to 1) was calculated to determine the association with the outcome.
Results: Nine-hundred-ninety-one patients were included. The actuarial median OS time was 2.7 months (95% CI: 2.5-2.9). Patients of older age (>65 years), lower Karnofsky performance status, not postoperative and patients with gastrointestinal, genitourinary or lung as opposed to breast cancer were more likely to have a shorter survival.
Conclusion: Short median survival of 2.7 months may reflect poorer prognosis of patients referred due to large amount of referrals for radiosurgery. Prognostic factors for survival should be considered at consultation.
Keywords: brain metastases; overall survival; prognostic factors; radiotherapy; whole-brain radiotherapy.