The first survival score for patients with brain metastases from small cell lung cancer (SCLC)

Objective Survival scores can help physicians select appropriate treatment for patients with brain metastasis. Primary tumors have different biological behavior justifying separate scoring systems for different tumors. In this study, a survival score was developed for patients with brain metastasis from SCLC. Methods Data of 172 patients receiving whole-brain radiotherapy alone for brain metastasis from SCLC were included. Patients were assigned to a test (N = 86) or a validation group (N = 86). In the test group, Karnofsky Performance Score, number of brain metastases, and extracranial metastasis were associated with survival and included in the score. Scores for each factor were obtained from the 6-month survival rate divided by 10. According to the total scores, which represented the sum of the three scores, three prognostic groups were formed. Results 6-Month survival rates in the test group were 3% for 5-8 points, 40% for 9-12 points, and 89% for 15 points (p < 0.001). In the validation group, 6-month survival rates were 3%, 41%, and 89% (p < 0.001). The comparisons between the three prognostic groups of the test group and the validation group did not show significant differences. Conclusions This new score appears valid and reproducible. It can be used to personalize the treatment to patients with brain metastasis from SCLC.