How would you approach treatment of the brain in a patient with ES-SCLC found to have CSF cytology positive for malignant cells but negative MRI of the brain?

Topics: Radiation Oncology • Thoracic Malignancies

Would you deliver RT or not? If you would deliver RT, would you use PCI dosing or WBRT dosing?

Answer from: Radiation Oncologist at Community Practice

A patient with extensive small cell lung cancer that is found to have + CSF cytology cannot be cured. The therapeutic focus should be symptom control and prolonged comfort. The treatment for ED-SCLC is systemic therapy. Commonly, that does not cross blood brain barrier. The question of whether to ...

Comments

Radiation Oncologist at Mon Health
Thank you, my friend.

Answer from: Radiation Oncologist at Academic Institution

To me, the question is "why did the patient get a spinal tap?" as this is not part of the standard workup for small cell lung cancer. The most likely reason is symptomatic cranial nerve complaints/findings. These should be palliated with a brief course of whole brain radiation, with special attentio...

Related Questions