Radiotherapeutic treatment approaches for brain metastases

Francesca De Felice; Daniela Musio; Raffaele Cassese; Vincenzo Tombolini

Radiotherapeutic treatment approaches for brain metastases

Anticancer Res. 2014 Dec;34(12):6913-8.

Authors

Francesca De Felice¹, Daniela Musio², Raffaele Cassese², Vincenzo Tombolini³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy [email protected].
² Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
³ Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy Spencer-Lorillard Foundation, Rome, Italy.

PMID: 25503116

Abstract

Brain metastases represent an important healthcare problem. Approximately 20%-40% of patients develop disease metastatic to the brain over the course of their cancer history. Palliative treatment of brain metastases requires for immediate control and, at least temporarily, a remission of the symptoms because many of the symptoms associated with brain metastases reduce the patient's quality of life. Radiation therapy is used to treat this clinical circumstance. The aim of this review is to assess the efficacy and the toxicity of radiotherapeutic treatment approaches and to provide treatment recommendation for brain metastases.

Keywords: Brain metastases; review; whole-brain stereotactic radiotherapy.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Brain Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
Brain Neoplasms / secondary*
Brain Neoplasms / surgery
Cranial Irradiation / methods*
Dose Fractionation, Radiation
Humans
Palliative Care
Quality of Life
Radiosurgery / methods*