Lin and DeAngelis outlined recommendations for management of a patient with brain metastases. One decision is whether or not to give systemic chemotherapy. The authors are from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.
Patient selection: brain metastases
Indications for systemic chemotherapy:
(1) The primary tumor is highly sensitive to chemotherapy.
(2) The brain metastases was found on screening AND systemic therapy already planned.
(3) The tumor is susceptible to targeted therapy.
(4) Other therapeutic options have been exhausted AND there is a reasonable drug available.
Requirements:
(1) The chemotherapy has good penetration to the site(s) of brain metastases.
(2) the patient has given informed consent.
(3) Therapy is not futile (poor performance status, progressive disease).
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
