Radiotherapy for Brain Metastases Near the End of Life in an Integrated Health Care System

Background: To examine radiotherapy (RT) patterns-of-care and utilization at the end of life (EOL) among non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with brain metastasis (BrM) in an integrated health care system.

Methods: Central tumor registry identified 5,133 patients diagnosed with NSCLC from 2007-2011. BrM were determined by imaging. Patient and clinical characteristics were obtained by chart abstraction. In addition to abstracted variables, graded prognostic assessment (GPA) score of 0-1 was derived by collected data and tested as a predictor of death within 14 or 30 days of RT.

Results: On NSCLC presentation, 10% harbored BrM while 7% developed BrM thereafter. Of 900 BrM patients, 15% were not referred for RT, with median time to death of 21 days. Median time to death for 5% not recommended RT was 48 days. Among those receiving brain RT, 11.9% died within 14 days and 23.3% (cumulatively) died within 30 days of treatment. Over 50% with GPA score 0-1 received RT, 11% within 14 days and 21% within 30 days of death; median survival of GPA score 0-1 patients was 49 days. GPA score 0-1 independently predicted for death within 30 days of RT receipt.

Conclusions: BrM are common in NSCLC, and most patients are referred for brain RT. A surprising proportion of patients received treatment near the EOL, as 23% died within 30 days of RT. GPA score of 0-1 predicted for death within 30 days of treatment. RT referral, recommendation, and timing should be better tailored to life expectancy, and additional benchmarks for quality of care are needed.