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Management of brain metastases
1Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York 10021.
Revue Neurologique
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Early diagnosis and treatment of brain metastases can improve quality of life and prolong survival. Treatment options include surgery, whole brain radiation therapy, and potentially focal radiation therapy or chemotherapy for specific cases.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Cancer Metastasis
Background:
- Brain metastases are common in patients with quiescent systemic cancer.
- They significantly reduce quality of life in otherwise functional patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline diagnostic and treatment strategies for brain metastases.
- To emphasize the importance of early intervention for symptom management and survival.
Main Methods:
- Review of diagnostic approaches including CT scan, MRI, and biopsy.
- Discussion of treatment modalities: surgical extirpation, whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT), focal radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
Main Results:
- Surgical extirpation is recommended for single, solitary metastases in patients with good performance status.
- WBRT is indicated for poor performance status, multiple metastases, or post-surgery.
- Focal radiation and chemotherapy show preliminary promise for specific scenarios.
Conclusions:
- Timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment of brain metastases can ameliorate symptoms, enhance quality of life, and prolong survival.
- Treatment decisions should be tailored to patient performance status and metastasis characteristics.