Analysis of risk factors associated with brain metastasis of limited small cell lung cancer after prophylactic cranial irradiation / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

ABSTRACT

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has the biological characteristics of high recurrence and metastasis. The brain is the common site of SCLC extrapulmonary metastasis. Prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) can effectively reduce the incidence of brain metastasis and prolong the overall survival of patients with limited SCLC. Nevertheless, nearly one third of patients develop brain metastases after PCI. This article reviews the risk factors of brain metastasis after PCI, aiming to determine which subgroup of patients with limited SCLC can benefit from PCI and provide reference for the clinical application of PCI.