Follow-up study on metastatic cerebellar tumor surgery--characteristic problems of surgical treatment

Outcome after surgery in supratentorial and infratentorial solitary brain metastasis

BACKGROUND

The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate and compare the outcome after surgery in patients with a supratentorial solitary metastasis (SSM) and an infratentorial solitary metastasis (ISM). A worse prognosis has been reported in ISM.

METHODS

Fifty-two patients with a newly diagnosed solitary brain metastasis on MRI were included to identify risk factors affecting the outcome. Key variables included tumor size, staging of the primary tumor, time span of presurgical work-up, and surgical technique. Outcome variables included postoperative complications, tumor recurrence, and mortality. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was applied.

RESULTS

Thirty patients with a SSM and 22 patients with an ISM underwent gross total resection. The tumor size did not have a statistical significant effect on survival. Presurgical work-up time was similar in SSM and ISM. Postoperative complications were more frequently encountered in ISM. Recurrence rate was comparable in SSM and ISM. Carcinomatous meningitis (CM) was more frequently seen in ISM, and CM was seen more often with the piecemeal resection technique. There was no statistical difference in overall survival between SSM and ISM.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified factors that play a role in the outcome after surgery in patients with ISM and SSM on MRI. Postoperative complications seemed to be higher in ISM and CM was more often seen in ISM, but the worse prognosis in patients with ISM compared with SSM could not be confirmed.

Prognostic factors and long-term survival in surgically treated brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVE

Brain metastases (BMs) are the most common malignant brain tumors in adults. Despite multimodal treatment options such as microsurgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, prognosis still remains very poor. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) constitutes the most common source of brain metastases. In this study, prognostic factors in this patient population were identified through an in-depth analysis of clinical parameters of patients with BMs from NSCLC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Clinical data of 114 NSCLC cancer patients who underwent surgery for BMs at the University Hospital Heidelberg were retrospectively reviewed for age, gender, type of treatment, time course of the disease, presence of neurologic symptoms, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), smoking history, presence of extracranial metastases at initial diagnosis of NSCLC, number, location and size of brain metastases. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed using the Log-rank test and Cox' proportional hazard model, respectively.

RESULTS

Median survival time from surgery for BMs was 11.2 months. 18.4% (21 of 114) patients were long-term survivors (>24 months; range 26.3-75.1 months). Age, gender, size and number of intracranial metastases were not significantly associated with patient survival. Univariate analysis identified complete resection, postoperative whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) and a preoperative KPS of >80% as positive prognostic factors. Infratentorial location and presence of extracranial metastases were shown to be negative prognostic factors. Surgery for the primary tumor was associated with a superior patient outcome both in univariate and multivariate analyses.

CONCLUSION

Our data strongly suggest that surgical treatment of the primary tumor and complete resection of brain metastases in NSCLC patients followed by WBRT improve survival. Moreover, long-term survivors (>2 years) were more frequent than previously reported.

Resection Followed by Involved-Field Fractionated Radiotherapy in the Management of Single Brain Metastasis

Introduction

We expanded upon our previous experience using involved-field fractionated radiotherapy (IFRT) as an alternative to whole brain radiotherapy or stereotactic radiosurgery for patients with surgically resected brain metastases (BM).

Materials and methods

All patients with single BM who underwent surgical resection followed by IFRT at our institution from 2006 to 2013 were evaluated. Local recurrence (LR)-free survival, distant failure (DF)-free survival, and overall survival (OS) were determined. Analyses were performed associating clinical variables with LR and DF. Salvage approaches and toxicity of treatment for each patient were also assessed.

Results

Median follow-up was 19.1 months. Fifty-six patients were treated with a median dose of 40.05 Gy/15 fractions with IFRT to the resection cavity. LR-free survival was 91.4%, DF-free survival was 68.4%, and OS was 77.7% at 12 months. No variables were associated with increased LR; however, melanoma histopathology and infratentorial location were associated with DF on multivariate analysis. LRs were salvaged in 5/8 patients, and DFs were salvaged in 24/29 patients. Two patients developed radionecrosis.

Conclusion

Adjuvant IFRT is feasible and safe for well-selected patients with surgically resected single BM. Acceptable rates of local control and salvage of distal intracranial recurrences continue to be achieved with continued follow-up.

Risk factors for leptomeningeal carcinomatosis in patients with brain metastases who have previously undergone stereotactic radiosurgery

Our objective was to explore the hypothesis that the risk of leptomeningeal dissemination (LMD) in patients who underwent stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for brain metastases is influenced by the site of the primary cancer, the addition of whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT), surgical resection, and control over their systemic disease. We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of 805 patients who were treated with SRS for brain metastases between 1999 and 2012 at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, and excluded all patients with evidence of LMD before SRS. The primary outcome was LMD. Forty-nine of 795 patients developed LMD with a cumulative incidence of 6.2% (95% Confidence Interval (CI), 4.7-8.0). Median time from SRS to LMD was 7.4 months (Interquartile Range (IQR), 3.3-15.4). A colorectal primary site (Hazard Ratio (HR), 4.5; 95% CI 2.5-8.0; p < 0.0001), distant brain failure (HR, 2.0; 95% CI 1.2-3.2; p = 0.007), breast primary site (HR, 1.6; 95% CI 1.0-2.7; p = 0.05), the number of intracranial metastases at time of initial SRS (HR, 1.1; 95% CI 1.0-1.2; p = 0.02), and age (by 5-year interval) (HR, 0.9; 95% CI 0.8, 0.9; p = 0.0006) were independent factors associated with LMD. There was no evidence that surgical resection before SRS altered the risk of LMD (HR, 1.1; 95 % CI 0.6-2.0, p = 0.78). In patients who underwent SRS for brain metastases, a colorectal or breast primary site, distant brain failure, younger age, and an increased number of intracranial metastases were independently associated with LMD. Given its relative rarity as an outcome, multi-institutional prospective studies will likely be necessary to validate and quantify these relationships.

A phase 2 trial of stereotactic radiosurgery boost after surgical resection for brain metastases

PURPOSE

To evaluate local control after surgical resection and postoperative stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for brain metastases.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A total of 49 patients (50 lesions) were enrolled and available for analysis. Eligibility criteria included histologically confirmed malignancy with 1 or 2 intraparenchymal brain metastases, age≥18 years, and Karnofsky performance status (KPS)≥70. A Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to test for significant associations between clinical factors and overall survival (OS). Competing risks regression models, as well as cumulative incidence functions, were fit using the method of Fine and Gray to assess the association between clinical factors and both local failure (LF; recurrence within surgical cavity or SRS target), and regional failure (RF; intracranial metastasis outside of treated volume).

RESULTS

The median follow-up was 12.0 months (range, 1.0-94.1 months). After surgical resection, 39 patients with 40 lesions were treated a median of 31 days (range, 7-56 days) later with SRS to the surgical bed to a median dose of 1800 cGy (range, 1500-2200 cGy). Of the 50 lesions, 15 (30%) demonstrated LF after surgery. The cumulative LF and RF rates were 22% and 44% at 12 months. Patients who went on to receive SRS had a significantly lower incidence of LF (P=.008). Other factors associated with improved local control include non-small cell lung cancer histology (P=.048), tumor diameter<3 cm (P=.010), and deep parenchymal tumors (P=.036). Large tumors (≥3 cm) with superficial dural/pial involvement showed the highest risk for LF (53.3% at 12 months). Large superficial lesions treated with SRS had a 54.5% LF. Infratentorial lesions were associated with a higher risk of developing RF compared to supratentorial lesions (P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative SRS is associated with high rates of local control, especially for deep brain metastases<3 cm. Tumors≥3 cm with superficial dural/pial involvement demonstrate the highest risk of LF.

Risk for leptomeningeal seeding after resection for brain metastases: implication of tumor location with mode of resection

Object

Surgical spillage has been one of the causative factors for the development of leptomeningeal seeding (LMS) after resection of brain metastases. In this paper, the authors' goal was to define the factors related to the development of LMS and to evaluate the difference according to tumor location.

Methods

The authors retrospectively analyzed 242 patients who had undergone resection for brain metastases. The factors investigated included tumor location with proximity to the CSF pathway (that is, contacting, involved with, or separated from the CSF pathway), the method of resection, and the use of the Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator (CUSA).

Results

A total of 39 patients (16%) developed LMS at a median of 6.0 months (range 1–42 months) after resection. The risk of developing LMS was significantly higher in patients whose tumors were resected piecemeal than in those whose tumors were removed en bloc, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 4.08 (p < 0.01). The incidence of LMS was significantly higher in patients in whom the CUSA was used, and the HR was 2.64 (p < 0.01). The proximity of tumor to the CSF pathway in the involved group conferred an increased risk of LMS compared with the separated group (HR 11.36, p < 0.01). The risk of piecemeal resection for LMS was significant only in involved lesions (p < 0.01), and the use of the CUSA in both contact and involved lesions increased the incidence of LMS (p < 0.01 and p < 0.03, respectively).

Conclusions

The authors suggest that piecemeal resection using the CUSA should be limited because of the risk of postsurgical LMS, especially when the tumor is in contact with the CSF pathway.

Comparative risk of leptomeningeal dissemination of cancer after surgery or stereotactic radiosurgery for a single supratentorial solid tumor metastasis

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis that differential risks of developing leptomeningeal disease (LMD) exist in patients having a single supratentorial brain metastasis resected via a piecemeal or en bloc approach or treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).

METHODS

Between 1993 and 2006, 827 patients with a supratentorial brain metastasis underwent resection or SRS at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. The primary outcome was the incidence of LMD.

RESULTS

Resection was performed piecemeal in 191 patients and en bloc in 351 patients; 285 patients received SRS. LMD occurred in 33 patients, 29 in the resection group and 4 in the SRS group. Risk of LMD was significantly higher with piecemeal tumor resection than with other procedures (SRS: hazard ratio [HR] for piecemeal, 5.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9-17.2; P = 0.002; en bloc, HR for piecemeal, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.3-5.6; P = 0.009). The difference between piecemeal and en bloc was particularly pronounced in patients with a melanoma primary (HR, 8.4; 95% CI, 1.8-39.2; P = 0.007). The risk of LMD was not significantly different between en bloc resection and SRS (HR for en bloc, 2.1; 95% CI, 0.7-6.4; P = 0.21). Similar results were obtained when comparing effects of SRS and both resection approaches after limiting the sample to patients with tumors in a specific volume range.

CONCLUSION

Piecemeal resection of a supratentorial brain metastasis carries a higher risk of LMD than en bloc resection or SRS. Further assessment of the role of the 2 surgical resection approaches and SRS in a controlled prospective setting with large numbers of patients is warranted.

Gamma Knife surgery targeting the resection cavity of brain metastasis that has progressed after whole-brain radiotherapy

OBJECT

Salvage treatment of large, symptomatic brain metastases after failure of whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) remains challenging. When these lesions require resection, there are few options to lower expected rates of local recurrence at the resection cavity margin. The authors describe their experience in using Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) to target the resection cavity in patients whose tumors had progressed after WBRT.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively identified 143 patients in whom GKS had been used to target a brain metastasis resection cavity between 2000 and 2005. Seventy-nine of these patients had undergone WBRT prior to resection and GKS. The median patient age was 53 years, and the median prescribed dose was 18 Gy (range 8-24 Gy), with resection cavities of relatively larger volume (> 15 cm3). The GKS dose was prescribed at the 40 to 95% isodose contour (mode 50%). Local recurrence within 1 cm of the treatment volume occurred in four (5.1%) of 79 cases. The median duration of time to local recurrence was 6.1 months (range 2-13 months). The median duration of time to occurrence of distant metastases following GKS of the resection cavity was 10.8 months (range 2-86 months). Carcinomatous meningitis developed in four (5.1%) of 79 cases. Symptomatic radionecrosis requiring surgical treatment occurred in three (3.8%) of 79 cases. The median duration of survival following GKS of the resection cavity was 69.6 weeks. The median 2- and 5-year survival rates were 20.2 and 6.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

When metastases progress after WBRT and require resection, GKS targeting the resection cavity is a viable strategy. In 75 (94.9%) of 79 cases, GKS of the resection cavity in patients in whom WBRT had failed appears to have achieved its goal of local disease control.

Boost radiosurgery for treatment of brain metastases after surgical resections

BACKGROUND

We evaluated results of resection surgery followed by boost radiosurgery for the treatment of brain metastases.

METHODS

We treated 21 patients (13 male, 8 female) with surgical resection (subtotal or total) followed by boost radiosurgery. The mean patient age was 61 years (range, 41-80 years); supratentorial lesions were treated in 12 patients, and posterior fossa lesions were treated in 9 patients. The most common primary cancers were lung (24%) and colon (24%). Fifty-three percent of patients had brain metastases only, whereas 47% had extracranial metastases. The radiosurgery dose plan was designed to radiate the operative cavity; the mean treatment volume (50% isodose) was 10.7 mL (range, 3.4-23.3 mL), and the mean marginal dose was 17 Gy (range, 13-20 Gy).

RESULTS

Local control was achieved in 16 (76%) patients. However, new intracranial lesions developed in 10 patients, and meningeal carcinomatosis occurred in 5 patients. Local tumor recurrence occurred more often for patients treated with lower radiotherapy doses (<18 vs > or =18 Gy, P = .03), and meningeal carcinomatosis occurred more often in patients with posterior fossa lesions (P = 0.05). Gamma knife radiosurgery was performed in 13 patients, and whole-brain radiation was performed in 2 patients. No patients experienced symptomatic radiation injury, and the median survival time was 20 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Although boost radiosurgery is less invasive and reduces morbidity, the radiosurgical dose must be higher than 18 Gy for the treatment to be most effective. Treatment of lesions of the posterior fossa must be considered carefully because of the higher frequency of meningeal carcinomatosis. Also, we recommend that the surgeons who operate on the metastatic tumors must try to decrease the resected cavity volume and to prevent cerebrospinal fluid dissemination at the operation for posterior fossa lesions.

Comparative risk of leptomeningeal disease after resection or stereotactic radiosurgery for solid tumor metastasis to the posterior fossa

Object

The authors tested the hypothesis that patients with metastatic posterior fossa lesions (MPFLs) treated with resection have a higher risk of leptomeningeal disease (LMD) than those with MPFLs treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).

Methods

Between 1993 and 2004, 379 patients with MPFLs were treated with resection or SRS at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. The authors' primary study outcome was the incidence of LMD, as diagnosed with cerebrospinal fluid cytological analysis and/or neuroimaging.

Results

Resection was performed in 260 patients, whereas 119 patients underwent SRS. The median patient age was 56 years, 51% of patients were male, and 93% had a Karnofsky Performance Scale score $ 70. The most common primary cancers were those of the lung, breast, and kidney, as well as melanoma. Leptomeningeal dissemination of cancer occurred in 33 patients: 26 in the resection group and 7 in the SRS group (resection group: rate ratio [RR] 2.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.89–4.75, p = 0.09). Piecemeal tumor resection (137 cases) was associated with a significantly higher risk of LMD than en bloc resection (123 cases; RR 3.4, 95% CI 1.43–8.12, p = 0.006) or SRS (RR 3.37, 95% CI 1.41–8.04, p = 0.006), and there was no significant difference in the risk for LMD between en bloc resection and SRS (en bloc resection: RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.34–2.81, p = 0.98). The multivariate RR and significance associated with piecemeal resection, however, were consistent, with a strong effect (RR 2.45, 95% CI 1.19–5.02, p = 0.02) and no indication of biases associated with tumor size, location, or cystic/necrotic appearance.

Conclusions

There is an increased risk of LMD after piecemeal resection of an MPFL. This increase, although clinically and statistically significant, is not as alarming as previously reported and is absent when en bloc removal is achieved. Further assessment of the role of resection in a controlled prospective setting is warranted.

Carcinomatous meningitis: are surgery or gamma knife radiosurgery treatment risk factors?

Object. The purpose of this study was to identify possible risk factors leading to carcinomatous meningitis in patients with a known brain metastasis and who were treated with gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS).

Methods. Two hundred eighty lesions in 101 patients were treated during 121 GKS procedures. The clinical and neuroimaging history, tumor histology, and follow-up studies were reviewed for all patients. Evidence as demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging criteria and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology of carcinomatous meningitis was evaluated. The data were then analyzed to identify potential risk factors for the development of CSF dissemination.

Conclusions. It appears that carcinomatous meningitis is exclusively identified in patients with adenocarcinoma, in particular with primary lung cancer. Furthermore, the incidence is higher if surgery is performed and the interval to subsequent GKS is prolonged.

Neoplastic meningitis following surgical resection of isolated cerebellar metastasis: a potentially preventable complication

Neoplastic meningitis (NM) occurs in approximately 8% of all cancer patients. To confirm a clinical impression that NM is relatively common in patients who undergo surgical resection of an isolated cerebellar metastasis (ICM), a retrospective study was performed. All patients who underwent a surgical resection of an isolated CNS metastasis at The Johns Hopkins Hospital between January 1991 and June 1993 were identified. Their charts, laboratory and pathologic data, radiologic studies, survival and cause of death were reviewed. A total of 66 patients were identified fifty-five patients underwent a surgical resection of a supratentorial metastasis while 11 patients (6 females and 5 males) underwent a surgical resection of an isolated cerebellar metastasis. The ages of patients with cerebellar metastases ranged from 23 to 74 years at the time of diagnosis with a median age of 49 years. All 11 patients had stable systemic disease and an excellent performance status. Five patients had tumors from lung, 2 from breast, and 4 from other sites. Each was expected to have a long survival. However, 4 of the 11 patients (36%) developed unequivocal NM at 1, 3, 6, and 7 months following surgical resection and all died within 1 month from the diagnosis of NM. Two patients had a positive CSF cytology and the other two had multiple enhancing leptomeningeal metastases on MRI. Two additional patients died of progressive neurological disease without evidence of local recurrence, yet were never formally evaluated for NM and two were lost to follow-up. Thus, the incidence of NM in this patient population is at least 36%. In the 55 patients who had resections of supratentorial metastases, only 1 patient (2%) developed NM. This study suggests that NM following surgical resection of an ICM may be common and may result in the premature demise of patients with excellent performance status, minimal systemic disease, and a reasonable life expectancy. Further studies are needed to determine if prophylactic intrathecal chemotherapy administered perioperatively could diminish the incidence of clinically apparent NM in this patient population.

Survival after surgical treatment of brain metastases from lung cancer: a follow-up study of 231 patients treated between 1976 and 1991

The authors reviewed the records of 231 patients who underwent resection of brain metastases from nonsmall-cell lung cancer between 1976 and 1991. Data regarding the primary disease and the characteristics of brain metastasis were retrospectively collected. Median survival in the group from the time of first craniotomy was 11 months; post-operative mortality was 3%. Survival rates of 1, 2, 3, and 5 years were 46.3%, 24.2%, 14.7%, and 12.5%, respectively. One hundred twelve women survived significantly longer than 119 men (13.8 vs. 9.5 months, p < 0.02). Patients with single metastatic lesions (200 patients) survived longer than those (31 patients) with multiple metastases (11.1 vs. 8.5 months, p < 0.02). Patients with supratentorial tumors survived longer than patients with cerebellar lesions. A high Karnofsky performance scale score before surgery also indicated increased survival. In multivariate analyses, incomplete resection or no resection of primary lung tumor, male gender, infratentorial location, presence of systemic metastases, and age older than 60 years were significantly correlated with shorter survival. Approximately one-third of the patients died of neurological causes, one-third of systemic disease, and one-third of a combination of both. The results of this series confirm that the overall prognosis for patients with even a single resectable brain metastasis is poor, but that aggressive therapy can prolong life with quality of life preserved and can occasionally permit long-term survival.