Predicting Survival After Whole-brain Irradiation for Cerebral Metastases in Patients with Cancer of the Bladder.

BACKGROUND/AIM: This study aimed to create a predictive tool for estimating the remaining lifespan of patients after whole-brain irradiation (WBI) for cerebral metastases from bladder cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 34 of these patients clinical parameters were analyzed for survival including age at start of WBI, gender, Karnofsky score, number of cerebral metastases and involvement of extra-cranial sites of metastasis.

RESULTS: Involvement of extra-cranial sites (14%) and Karnofsky score (9%) showed the greatest difference regarding 6-month survival and were considered for the tool. Points were assigned based on the following: no involvement of extra-cranial sites=1 point, involvement of extra-cranial sites=0 points, Karnofsky score ≥70=1 point, Karnofsky score ≤60=0 points. Patients' scores were 0, 1 or 2 points with 6-month survival rates of 13%, 27% and 50%, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Based on two clinical parameters, a tool was developed that may help estimate the lifespan of patients irradiated for cerebral metastases from bladder cancer.