open access: Radiation therapy for epithelial ovarian cancer brain metastases: clinical outcomes and predictors of survival

Radiation therapy for epithelial ovarian cancerbrain metastases: clinical outcomes and predictors of survival


 Clinical characteristics

Patient characteristics at the time of initial BM diagnosis are listed in Table 1. Median age at diagnosis of EOC was 56.1 years (range, 31.2-79.0). Stage distribution [20] at original diagnosis of EOC was 3 patients with stage I (5%), 4 with stage II (6.7%), 40 with stage III
(66.7%), and 13 with stage IV (21.7%). Histologic grade at diagnosis was 2 patients with grade 1 (3%), 7 with grade 2 (12%), 49 with grade 3 (82%), and 2 unknown (3%). Tumor histology was distributed as follows: 42 (70%) papillary serous, 8 (13%) endometrioid, 3 (5%) adenocarcinoma not otherwise specified, 2 (3%) mixed carcinoma, and 1 each of mixed
adenocarcinoma, clear cell carcinoma, mucinous adenocarcinoma, small cell carcinoma, and cystic ovarian carcinoma.
  
Conclusions

Based on our results, RT appears to be an effective treatment modality for brain metastases from EOC and should be routinely offered. Karnofsky performance status less than 70, four or more BM, LMD, and uncontrolled primary tumor predict for worse survival after RT for
EOC BM. Whether RT is superior to surgery or chemotherapy for EOC BM remains to be seen in a larger cohort.