Brain metastases in small cell carcinoma of the lung.

The records of 177 patients with small cell carcinoma of the lung were reviewed to determine parameters associated with brain metastases. Complete autopsy, including examination of the brain, was done in each case. Of the 70 cases of brain metastases, only two patients (3%) were aged 70 years or more as compared with 19 (18%) aged 70 years or more who did not have brain metastases. Patients with brain metastases had a longer median survival as compared with those without brain metastases. Patients with brain metastases had involvement of the thyroid and kidney more frequently (23% and 34%, respectively) compared with patients without brain metastases (8% and 13%). Thus, patients who have brain metastases tend to (1) be less than 70 years of age; (2) have a longer survival; and (3) have a higher incidence of metastases to the thyroid and kidney.