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PCI
Source: Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: May 14, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.
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Context: Treatment of Limited-Stage SCLC / Treatment Options for Patients With Limited-Stage SCLC
Patients who have achieved a complete remission may receive PCI. Patients whose cancer can be controlled outside the brain have a 60% actuarial risk of developing central nervous system (CNS) metastases within 2 to 3 years after starting treatment.[29,31,32] Most of these patients have disease that relapses only in the brain, and nearly all of those with CNS relapse die of their cranial metastases. The risk of developing CNS metastases can be reduced by more than 50% with the administration of PCI.[31]
Evidence (role of PCI):
A meta-analysis of seven randomized trials evaluated the value of PCI for patients in complete remission. The addition of PCI improved the rates of brain recurrence, disease-free survival, and OS. The 3-year OS rate increased from 15% to 21% with PCI.[31][Level of evidence A1]
Source links and citations
The randomized RTOG-0212 study (NCT00005062) included 720 patients with LD SCLC in complete remission after chemoradiation therapy. The trial demonstrated that standard-dose PCI (25 Gy in 10 fractions) was as effective as, and less toxic than, higher doses of brain radiation.[33]
Source links and citations
Randomized trials such as RTOG-0212 (NCT00005062) showed that doses higher than 25 Gy in 10 daily fractions do not improve long-term survival.[33-35]
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Studies cited in this source section
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Publication references
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Preserved source evidence · Not medical advice