The objective response of brain metastases on radiotherapy. A prospective study using computer tomography.

A prospective study was performed to establish the objective response of brain metastases after radiotherapy. Twenty-five patients with a total of 53 metastatic lesions were evaluated approximately 6 weeks after completing the treatment (30 Gy/2,5 weeks). Clinical response was seen more often than objective response, due probably to concomitant use of corticosteroids and to most patients having multiple metastases. Clinical response, although important for the patient, does not well reflect the objective response. In 48% of the cases there was agreement between the clinical and the radiodiagnostic findings. The tumor size was an important prognostic factor for prediction of complete response. The majority of patients who achieved complete remission of at least one of the metastatic lesions, did not show recurrence of the neurological symptoms.