Treatment outcomes in patients with multiple brain metastases: A prospective randomized study

Context: There is controversy regarding the radiotherapeutic dose fractionation in brain metastases (bm). Aims: The aim of this study is to analyze the treatment outcomes in patients with multiple bm. Settings and Design: Prospective, randomized study. Subjects and Methods: Patients with multiple bm with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤2 were included. In arm-A patient received whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) 30 GY in 10# over 2 weeks and in arm-B patients received 20 GY in 5# over 1 week. Assessment of improvement in clinical symptoms was done using Barthel′s adjusted daily live (ADL) score. Assessment of radiological response was done using magnetic resonance imaging scan of brain after 3 months of completion of external beam radiation therapy. Acute radiation toxicity was assessed using Radiation Therapy Oncology Group/European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer acute radiation morbidity scoring. Statistical Analysis Used: Chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables between groups. Overall survival was computed by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Log-Rank test used for comparison of survival plots. For change in quality-of-life during treatment and follow-up, repeated measures ANOVA were used. Results: In both arms, there was a significant improvement in ADL score after treatment, but when two arms were compared, no significant difference was found between the two treatment arms. There was no statistically significant difference in response or morbidity between the two treatment arms. Median survival was 29 weeks in arm-A compared to 25.86 weeks in patients arm-B. Kaplan-Meier Survival curve analysis shows no significant difference in survival between the two arms. Conclusions: 20 GY in 5 fractions is equally effective with that of the 30 GY in 10 fractions for WBRT in bm. In the palliative setting short duration of treatment with minimum discomfort to the patient is desirable. Hence, we can opt for 20 GY in 5 fractions in poor performance status patients and 30 GY in 10 fractions in patients with good performance status.