Background: We aimed to investigate the epidemiology of synchronous brain metastasis (SBM) in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Methods: Logistic regression and Cox regression were used to identify the related factors of SBM incidence and cancer-specific survival (CSS). A nomogram for predicting CSS was developed and validated. Results: The incidence of SBM in NSCLC patients was 12.58%. The median CSS was 5 months. Patients with younger age, female gender, and adenocarcinoma had higher odd ratios for developing SBM. In addition, a nomogram was developed based on significant factors from Cox regression. The validation of the nomogram showed that it had good calibration and discrimination. Conclusions: SBM was highly prevalent in NSCLC patients, who also had poor survival.
Keywords: NSCLC; SEER; nomogram; prognosis; synchronous brain metastasis.
Lay abstract Due to the high incidence and poor survival of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with metastases in the brain (SBM), investigations on the epidemiology, risk factors of SBM incidence and biological indicators of prognosis are of high clinical importance. The data we used was from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, which is kept up to date by American oncologists. The results showed that the incidence of brain metastases in NSCLC patients was 12.58%. The median cancer-specific survival was 5 months. Patients with younger age and female gender had higher likelihood for developing SBM. In conclusion, SBM was highly prevalent in NSCLC patients, who also had poor survival.