MATERIAL and METHODS: A total of 296 patients diagnosed with NSCLC with brain metastasis and referred to our clinic for radiotherapy between 2000 and 2017 were included in this retrospective study.

RESULTS: The median age was 60.8 ± 12.1 years, with a range of 21–85 years. The estimated median survival time for all patients was 7.81 ± 0.66 months (95% CI: 6.52–9.11). The one-year survival, two-year survival and three-year survival rates were 18.8%, 5.8% and 2.9%, respectively. The median survival of patients with solitary brain metastasis who received 45 Gy radiotherapy was 14.70 ± 2.80 months (95% CI: 9.20–20.20). These patients had 6 and 12 months survival rates of 65.4% and 42.6%, respectively. The median survival time of patients with solitary brain metastasis who received > 45 Gy radiotherapywas 13.86 ± 2.56 months (95% CI: 8.08–18.02). These patients had 6 and 12 months survival rates of 66.2% and 27.2%, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.321). The median survival duration of patients under 65 years was 9.65 ± 1.02 months. The median survival time of patients aged 65 years and overwas 5.15 ± 0.51 months. There was a statistically significant difference in the median survival rates between the groups (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION: Patients with solitary metastasis or single metastases tolerated whole brain radiotherapy with a conventional boost. Although the overall survival rates were numerically better in the high dose RT group, the difference was not statistically significant. Prospective studies with a larger sample size are needed to consolidate our results. Keywords : Non-small cell lung cancer, Brain metastases, Radiotherapy