Open AccessTreatment modes for EGFR mutations in patients with brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer: controversy, causes, and solutions
Author(s) -
Hong Zhuang,
Siyu Shi,
Joe Y. Chang
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
translational lung cancer research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.474
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 2226-4477
pISSN - 2218-6751
DOI - 10.21037/tlcr.2019.07.03
Subject(s) - medicine , lung cancer , radiation therapy , epidermal growth factor receptor , disease , oncology , confusion , targeted therapy , metastasis , brain metastasis , cancer , intensive care medicine , psychology , psychoanalysis
Brain metastasis from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations is a hot research topic, but also a difficulty in targeted NSCLC therapy, and is also the focus of controversy in the field of lung cancer treatment. According to medical oncology, asymptomatic patients were initially treated with targeted therapy, followed by local radiotherapy when symptoms present or disease progresses. However, from the perspective of the discipline of radiotherapy, brain metastases need to be treated before drug resistance, as it may affect survival. Controversies between disciplines have brought much confusion to the treatment choices of clinicians. We summarized and discussed relevant literatures in this article to seek the truth in providing reference in clinical practice for treating diseases and solving problems.