Individualisation of Radiation Therapy for Older Persons With Secondary Brain Lesions from Carcinoma of the Breast

Abstract

Background/aim: Outcomes of older persons with secondary brain lesions from carcinoma of the breast may be improved by individualized therapy. This process will likely be easier with survival scores.

Patients and methods: A retrospective study was performed in 111 older patients with carcinoma of the breast irradiated for secondary brain lesions. Dose-fractionation, age, general condition, number of brain lesions, other visceral metastases and time period from breast cancer detection until radiation therapy were investigated.

Results: Post-radiation survival was significantly related to general condition (p<0.0001) and other visceral metastases (p=0.041). When using these characteristics, sum-scores of 0 (n=46), 1 (n=50) or 2 (n=15) points were gained. Six- and 12-month survival was 7% and 3% for 0 points, 43% and 19% for 1 point, and 73% and 52% for 2 points (p<0.0001).

Conclusion: This survival score contributes to treatment individualisation of older patients with secondary brain lesions from carcinoma of the breast.

Keywords: Secondary brain lesions; carcinoma of the breast; older persons; radiation therapy; survival analyses.