Laser interstitial thermal therapy for in-field recurrence of brain metastasis after stereotactic radiosurgery: does treatment with LITT prevent a neurologic death?

In this study, we investigate the causes of death among patients with BM who undergo LITT for IFR after SRS. We conducted a  single institution retrospective case series of patients with BM who underwent LITT for IFR after SRS. Clinical and demographic data were collected via chart review. The primary endpoint was cause of death. Between 2010 and 2018, 70 patients with BM underwent LITT for IFR after SRS. Median follow- up after LITT was 12.0 months. At analysis, 49 patients died; a cause was determined in 44. Death was neurologic in 20 patients and non-neurologic in 24. The 24-month cumulative incidence of neurologic and non-neurologic death was 35.1% and 38.6%, respectively. Etiologies of neurologic death includ ed local recurrence (n = 7), recovery failure (n = 7), distant progression (n = 5), and other (n = 1). Among our patient population, LITT provided the ability to stabilize neurologic disease in up to 2/3 of patients. For IFR after SRS, LITT may represent a reasonable treatment strate gy for select patients. Additional work is necessary to determine the extent to which LITT can prevent neurologic death after recurrence of BM.
Source: Clinical and Experimental Metastasis - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research