Diagnosis and treatment of brain metastases from solid tumors: guidelines from the European Association of Neuro-Oncology (EANO)

Neuro Oncol. 2017 Feb 1;19(2):162-174. doi: 10.1093/neuonc/now241.

Abstract

The management of patients with brain metastases has become a major issue due to the increasing frequency and complexity of the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. In 2014, the European Association of Neuro-Oncology (EANO) created a multidisciplinary Task Force to draw evidence-based guidelines for patients with brain metastases from solid tumors. Here, we present these guidelines, which provide a consensus review of evidence and recommendations for diagnosis by neuroimaging and neuropathology, staging, prognostic factors, and different treatment options. Specifically, we addressed options such as surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery/stereotactic fractionated radiotherapy, whole-brain radiotherapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy (with particular attention to brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer, melanoma and breast and renal cancer), and supportive care.

Keywords: brain metastases; chemotherapy; neuroimaging; neuropathology; stereotactic radiosurgery/stereotactic fractionated radiotherapy; supportive care; surgery; targeted therapy; whole-brain radiation therapy.

MeSH terms

  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary
  • Brain Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic / standards*