Radiation therapy in the prevention and management of brain metastases in patients with small cell lung cancer: a narrative review

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this narrative review is to survey the current literature and provide treatment recommendations for the management of patients with brain metastases (BMs) from small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

Background: BMs are very common in patients with SCLC and management has changed significantly in recent years. Radiation techniques and systemic therapies have evolved and this review will highlight these recent studies and implications on clinical practice.

Methods: This narrative review covers prophylaxis and treatment of established BMs in patients with SCLC. Studies included are based on Medline, PubMed, Google scholar searches, abstracts from conference proceedings and references from published papers.

Conclusions: Radiation therapy continue to have an important role in the prophylaxis and treatment of patients with BMs. Radiation technologies have resulted in significant reduction of toxicities and improved quality of life (QoL). There continues to be many unanswered questions and results of currently accruing trials will hopefully fill some of these gaps and refine the role of radiation therapy in the management of this condition.

Keywords: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC); brain metastases (BMs); immunotherapy; stereotactic radiosurgery; whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT).