Long-term survival of lung cancer with brain metastasis.

Two patients presented with adenocarcinoma of the lung and subsequently brain metastasis. Lobectomies were performed initially. One patient had a lung recurrence and was treated effectively by irradiation, the other had primary lung cancer controlled by surgery. Solitary brain metastases developed in both of them and was surgically removed. They were given postoperative radiation to the brain. Both survived, one more than five years and the other more than four years. They are women in their early 40s and 50s and are in good general condition. Contrary to the accepted method of treatment for patients with brain metastasis, which is usually palliation, surgical treatment followed by radiation could achieve the most rewarding results.