Summary
As a part of the initial evaluation of previously untreated patients with small cell carcinoma of the lung, radionuclide and/or computerized tomographic (CT) scanning of the brain was performed. Evidence of metastatic brain disease was documented in 10 (9%) patients (9 by CT and 1 by radionuclide scanning). CT was abnormal in 2 patients who had no evidence of brain metastasis by radionuclide scan. The detection of brain metastasis resulted in upstaging of 6 neurologically asymptomatic patients who had no other extrathoracic disease. Evaluation of the brain with CT is recommended as part of the initial staging of patients with small cell carcinoma of the lung.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ihde DC, Hansen HH: Staging procedures and prognostic factors in small cell carcinoma of the lung. In: Greco FA, Oldham RK, Bunn PA, Jr, (eds) Small cell lung cancer, Gruen and Stratton, Inc., New York, pp. 270–271, 1981.
Hansen HH: Should initial treatment of small cell carcinoma include systemic chemotherapy and irradiation. Cancer Chemother Rep 4:239–241, 1973.
Jackson DV, Jr, Richards F II, Cooper MR, Ferree C, Muss HB, White DR, and Spurr CL: Prophylactic cranial irradiation in small cell carcinoma of the lung: A randomized study. JAMA 237:2730–2733, 1977.
Jackson, DV, Jr., Ferree, CF, White, DR, Richards F II, Muss HB, Stuart JJ, Cooper MR, Spurr CL, Caldwell RD, Case LD and Wells HB. Cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin and Vincristine (CAV) versus VP16–213 + (VCAV) in the Treatment of Small Cell Carcinoma of the Lung (SCC). Amer. Soc. Clin. Oncl. 1:154, 1982.
Nugent JL, Bunn PA Jr, Matthews MJ, Ihde DC, Cohen MH, Gazdar A and Minna JD: CNS Metastases in Small Cell Bronchogenic Carcinoma. Cancer 44:1885–1893, 1974.
Bunn PA Jr, Nugent JL, Matthews MJ: Central Nervous System Metastases in Small Cell Bronchogenic Carcinoma. Sem Oncl 5:314–322, 1978.
Alderson PO, Gado MH and Siegel BA: Computerized Cranial Tomography and Radionuclide Imaging in the Detection of Intracranial Mass Lesions. Sem Nuc Med 7:161–173, 1977.
Butler AR, Leo JS, Lin JP, Boyd AD, Kricheff II: The Value of Routine Cranial Computed Tomography in Neurologically Intact Patients with Primary Carcinoma of the Lung. Radiology 131:399–401, 1979.
Poon PY, Feld R, Evans WK, Ege G, Yeob JL and McLoughlin ML: Computed Tomography of the Brain, Liver and Upper Abdomen in the Staging of Small Cell Carcinoma of the Lung. J Comput Assist Tomogr 6:963–965, 1982.
Ruscalleda J, Lopez-Pousa S, Guardia E, Arroyo I, Roig C and Faixat J: Clinical Symptomatology and Computerized Tomography in Brain Metastasis. Computerized Tomography 2:69–77, 1978.
Zekan P, Jackson D, Muss H, Richards F, Cooper M, White D, Stuart J, Hopkins J, Spurr C, Caldwell R, Capizzi R: Cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin and Vincristine (CAV) versus VP-16–213 + CAV (VCAV) in the Treatment of Small Cell Carcinoma of the Lung (SCC). Am Soc Clin Onc 2:193, 1983.
Crane J, Nelson M, Macdonald J, Johnston-Early A, Ihde D, Bunn P: A Comparison of Computed Tomography (CT) and Radionuclide (RN) TC 99m Scanning of the Brain in Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCCL). Am Soc Clin Onc 2:200, 1983.
Crane J, Lichter A, Ihde D, Carney D, Gold GL, Glatstein J, Minna J and Bunn P: Therapeutic Cranial Radiotherapy for Brain Metastases in Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC). Am Assoc Cancer Res 24:145, 1983.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cruz, J.M., Jackson, D.V., Muss, H.B. et al. Detection of brain metastasis at diagnosis of small cell carcinoma of the lung. J Neuro-Oncol 2, 67–71 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00165160
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00165160