Objective To investigate the relationship between epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation and brain metastasis in the patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods We collected 132 patients pathologically diagnosed as NSCLC from 2010 to 2014. EGFR mutation status in primary tumor or metastatic tumor tissues were detected by PCR amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS). We analyzed the relationship between EGFR mutation status and clinical pathological characteristics and brain metastasis in the patients with disease progression.

Results Brain metastasis was not correlated with gender or smoking status in NSCLC patients (P > 0.05) but correlated with the age and mutation status of EGFR (P < 0.05). The younger patients with EGFR mutation were more likely to have brain metastases. After EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) treatment, the survival time was significantly prolonged. Smoking was an independent risk factor for the prognosis of the patients with brain metastases.

Conclusion Patients with EGFR gene mutations are more likely to develop brain metastases. The patients survived longer after receiving TKI therapy and radiotherapy.