Prophylactic cranial irradiation for patients with small cell lung cancer in Germany: Pattern of care survey

Abstract

Background/Aim: The general pattern of care regarding the application of prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients in Germany has not been previously evaluated. This survey was conducted to assess patterns of care. Patients and Methods: Radiation oncology institutions in Germany were surveyed via an anonymous online questionnaire sent by e-mail to member institutions of the German Society for Radiation Oncology. Results: A total of 95 responses were received (29% response rate). Eighty-eight percent of all responders recommended a PCI total dose of 30Gy delivered in 15 daily fractions. Overall, 11 and 38% of the respondents applied PCI simultaneously with chemo- and radiotherapy, respectively. A quarter of respondents offered hippocampal-avoidance PCI and followed their patients with serial brain imaging. Conclusion: PCI with a total dose of 30 Gy in 15 daily fractions, without neuropsychological testing and hippocampus-avoidance, delivered after completion of primary multimodal treatment remains standard in Germany.