Prophylactic cranial irradiation for patients with small-cell lung cancer in complete remission

with small-cell lung cancer decreases the overall rate of brain metastases without an effect on overall survival. It has been suggested that this treatment may increase neuro-psychological syndromes and brain abnormalities indicated by computed tomography scans. However, other retrospec-tive data suggested a beneficial effect on overall survival for patients in complete remission. Purpose: Our purpose was to evaluate the effects of prophylactic cranial irradiation on brain metastasis, overall survival, and late-occurring toxic effects in patients with small-cell lung cancer in complete remission. Methods: We conducted a prospective study of 300 patients who had small-cell lung cancer that was in com-plete remission. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either prophylactic cranial irradiation delivering 24 Gy in eight fractions during 12 days (treatment group) or n