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Gamma knife radiosurgery for simultaneous multiple metastatic brain tumors
S Suzuki1, J Omagari, S Nishio
1Shin-Koga Hospital Gamma Knife Center, Kurume, Japan. satoskhp@kurume.ktarn.or.jp
Journal of Neurosurgery
|January 6, 2001
Summary
Gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) effectively treats multiple brain metastases (≥10 tumors), offering good tumor control and quality of life with low morbidity. Patients reported high satisfaction, with no deaths from brain metastasis symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Radiation Oncology
- Oncology
Background:
- Metastatic brain tumors are a common complication of systemic cancer.
- Treating patients with numerous brain metastases presents significant challenges.
- Gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) is a minimally invasive treatment option.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of single-fraction GKS.
- To assess tumor control, survival rates, and quality of life.
- To determine the safety and patient satisfaction with GKS for extensive brain metastases.
Main Methods:
- 24 patients with 10 or more simultaneous metastatic brain tumors underwent GKS.
- Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) assessed patient performance status.
- Kaplan-Meier method analyzed cumulative survival rates.
- Telephone interviews gauged patient satisfaction.
Main Results:
- No patient died from brain metastasis-related symptoms; all patients/families reported satisfaction.
- Among 12 patients with symptoms, 5 improved, 6 remained unchanged, and 1 deteriorated (KPS).
- Cumulative survival rates were 70.4% (12 weeks), 49.3% (24 weeks), and 12.3% (36 weeks).
- Median survival time was 11 weeks.
Conclusions:
- Single-fraction GKS provides acceptable tumor control for multiple brain metastases (≥10).
- GKS demonstrates low morbidity and promotes a good quality of life in this patient group.
- GKS is a viable treatment option for extensive metastatic brain disease.