Long term survival in non-small-cell lung carcinoma with synchronous brain metastasis

Abstract

Brain metastasis is common in patients with non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and is associated with poor prognosis with a median survival rate below six months, even if treated with palliative radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Here, we report a case of NSCLC with synchronous brain metastasis treated with whole brain radiotherapy, systemic chemotherapy and oral gefitinib with survival of 62 months. We found that adequate treatment combining radiotherapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy in a patient with non-small-cell lung cancer with brain metastasis can improve survival. This study shows how to integrate various treatment modalities in a patient with non small cell lung cancer with synchronous brain metastasis at presentation. © Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute and Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty. Ltd.