[A case of non-small cell lung cancer treated safely by whole brain radiation therapy and erlotinib].

In December 2006, a 55-year-old-man was given a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the lung with multiple brain metastases. Systemic chemotherapy was given consisting of carboplatin plus paclitaxel and carboplatin plus gemcitabine. But with the increase of the brain metastases, he was admitted in February 2008. He received whole brain radiation therapy and was given erlotinib at the same time. The brain metastases disappeared and primary lung tumor decreased after the start of therapy. No side effect was observed. Although further investigations are needed to completely determine the efficacy of this treatment procedure, it seems clear that combining erlotinib with radiation therapy produces a synergy effect on the cancer.