A Trial of Postoperative Whole Brain Radiation Therapy vs. Salvage Stereotactic Radiosurgery Therapy for Metastasis

A randomized phase III study is started in Japan to compare postoperative whole brain radiation therapy with salvage stereotactic radiosurgery in patient with one to four brain metastases from lung, breast, and colorectal cancer.

Total of 270 patients will be accrued for this study from 21 institutions within three years. The primary endpoint is overall survival. The secondary endpoints are proportion of performance status (PS) preservation, proportion of mini-mental status examination (MMSE) preservation, and adverse events.

Inclusion criteria

• one to four brain metastases with a maximum diameter of 3 cm or more for the largest lesion and additional lesions not exceeding 3 cm in diameter
• all brain metastases localized within cerebrum or cerebellum
• before surgical resection for brain metastasis, PS is 0-2, or 3 by cerebral nerve compression neurological deficits
• surgical resection for the largest brain metastases has achieved
• after surgical resection, four or fewer (0-4) residual lesions with maximum diameter under 3 cm
• histologically proven non-small cell carcinoma, breast cancer or colorectal cancer
• primary lesion and the other metastases (i.e. lung, liver, bone metastases except for brain) is consider to be controlled
• an age of 20-79 years
• no prior surgery or irradiation for brain
• adequate organ function
• written informed consent(If signing in consent form is difficult for the patient due to paralysis, signing by the family in place of the patient is permitted)

Exclusion criteria

• synchronous or metachronous (within 5 years) malignancy other than carcinoma in situ or mucosal cancer
• pregnant or breast-feeding women
• severe mental disease
• allergic to gadolinium contained contrast agents