Ultra-rapid high dose irradiation schedules for the palliation of brain metastases: final results of the first two studies by the radiation therapy oncology group

Journal Article · Tue Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0360-3016(81)90184-X· OSTI ID:5628967

Borgelt, B ^[1]; Gelber, R; Larson, M; Hendrickson, F; Griffin, T; Rother, R

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1. Thomas Jefferson Univ. Hospital, Philadelphia, PA

Between January, 1971, and February, 1976, the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group entered 1902 evaluable patients into two sequential Phase III national cooperative trials to study the effectiveness of different time dose radiotherapy schemes on the palliation of patients with brain metastases. Each trial included an optional arm into which patients were randomized to receive 1000 rad/1 fraction (26 patients, First study) or 1200 rad/2 fractions (33 patients, Second study). Comparisons were made with 143 control patients randomized by the same participating institutions to receive a more protracted course of irradiation (2000, 3000 or 4000 rad/1-4wks). Response of patients receiving ultra-rapid treatment, as assessed by the percent who had improvement in neurologic function, was comparable to that of patients receiving the more protracted schedules. Promptness of neurologic function improvement, treatment morbidity and median survival were also comparable to those of patients receiving 2000 to 4000 rad. However, the duration of improvement, time to progression of neurologic status and rate of complete disappearance of neurologic symptoms were generally less for those patients who received 1000 or 1200 rad. These results suggest that ultra-rapid, high dose irradiation schedules may not be so effective as higher dose schedules in the palliation of patients with brain metastases.

• OSTI ID: 5628967
• Journal Information: Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 7:12; ISSN IOBPD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BODY
BRAIN
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
DISEASES
DOSES
EVALUATION
FRACTIONATED IRRADIATION
GLANDS
IRRADIATION
LUNGS
MAMMARY GLANDS
MEDICINE
METASTASES
NEOPLASMS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
PATIENTS
RADIATION DOSE DISTRIBUTIONS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIOLOGY
RADIOSENSITIVITY EFFECTS
RADIOTHERAPY
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
SIDE EFFECTS
TEMPORAL DOSE DISTRIBUTIONS
THERAPY
TIME DEPENDENCE