Treatment of single or multiple brain metastases by hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy using helical tomotherapy

Int J Mol Sci. 2014 Apr 22;15(4):6910-24. doi: 10.3390/ijms15046910.

Abstract

This study investigated the clinical outcomes of a 4-fraction stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) study using helical tomotherapy for brain metastases. Between August 2009 and June 2013, 54 patients with a total of 128 brain metastases underwent SRT using tomotherapy. A total dose of 28 or 28.8 Gy at 80% isodose was administered in 4 fractions for all tumors. The mean gross tumor volume (GTV) was 1.9 cc. Local control (LC) rates at 6, 12, and 18 months were 96%, 91%, and 88%, respectively. The 12-month LC rates for tumors with GTV ≤0.25, >0.25 and ≤1, and >1 cc were 98%, 82%, and 93%, respectively; the rates were 92% for tumors >3 cc and 100% for >10 cc. The 6-month rates for freedom from distant brain failure were 57%, 71%, and 55% for patients with 1, 2, and >3 brain metastases, respectively. No differences were significant. No major complications were observed. The 4-fraction SRT protocol provided excellent tumor control with minimal toxicity. Distant brain failure was not so frequent, even in patients with multiple tumors. The results of the current study warrant a prospective randomized study comparing single-fraction stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) with SRT in this patient population.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Brain Neoplasms / mortality
  • Brain Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Dose Fractionation, Radiation
  • Female
  • Gamma Rays
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated
  • Survival Rate
  • Treatment Outcome