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Brain metastases in disseminated germinal neoplasms. Incidence and clinical course
Author(s) -
Williams Stephen D.,
Einhorn Lawrence H.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(197910)44:4<1514::aid-cncr2820440450>3.0.co;2-4
Subject(s) - medicine , central nervous system , choriocarcinoma , chemotherapy , incidence (geometry) , oncology , pathology , optics , physics
Abstract From July 1973, to March 1978, 139 patients with disseminated germinal neoplasms were treated with a variety of combination chemotherapy regimens. Twenty‐one patients (15.1%) exhibited evidence of brain metastases at some time during their course. Central nervous system spread occurred somewhat more frequently in patients with choriocarcinoma and yolk sac histologies, although all types were at risk. This was a major cause of morbidity and mortality. However, central nervous system spread almost always occurred in patients with systemic relapse and thus did not affect overall survival. We have yet to identify a subgroup who potentially could benefit from prophylactic central nervous system therapy.