Analysis of Survival Predictors in Patients with Lung Cancer and Brain Metastases

Background and objective The prognosis for patients with lung cancer and brain metastases remains poor, with approximately 6 months of survival, despite active measures after treatment. In this study, we determined and analyzed clinical parameters that affect the survival of patients with lung cancer and brain metastases to provide clinical guidance. Methods Lung cancer cases with brain metastases were retrospectively collected during 2002 and 2008 from Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression were performed for univariate and multivariate analyses, respectively, to explore independent predictors influencing the survival of patients with lung cancer and brain metastases. Results Age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS), metastasis interval, number of metastasis, treatment method, treatment period, symptoms of brain metastases, extracranial metastasis, and brain metastasis order were factors that affect the survival of patients with brain metastases as confirmed through the Kaplan-Meier method. Treatment periods and extracranial metastasis were independent survival predictors in patients with lung cancer and brain metastasis as indicated by Cox proportional hazard model. Conclusion Treatment periods and extracranial metastasis were independent predictors of survival of patients with lung cancer and brain metastasis. Treatment periods and extracranial metastasis were independent predictors of survival of patients with lung cancer and brain metastasis.