Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026
10:01
Modeling Brain Metastasis by Internal Carotid Artery Injection of Cancer Cells
Published on: August 2, 2022
Radiosurgery for brain metastases from unknown primary cancers.
Ajay Niranjan1, Hideyuki Kano, Aftab Khan
1Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, UPMC Presbyterian, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA. niranjana@upmc.edu
International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics
|January 9, 2010
Summary
Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery effectively controls brain metastases from unknown primary cancers, offering a safe, minimally invasive treatment option. This approach improved local tumor control and survival rates in patients with brain metastases.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Radiation Oncology
- Oncology
Background:
- Brain metastases represent a significant challenge in cancer management.
- Undiagnosed primary cancers leading to brain metastases require specific treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery (GKRS) for brain metastases originating from an unknown primary cancer.
- To assess the role of GKRS within a multidisciplinary management approach.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 29 patients with brain metastases from an undiagnosed primary cancer treated with GKRS between 1990 and 2007.
- Median patient age was 61.7 years; median target volume was 1.0 cc; median margin radiosurgical dose was 16 Gy.
Main Results:
- High local tumor control rate of 88.5% achieved post-radiosurgery.
- Overall median survival was 12 months, with 1-year and 2-year actuarial survival rates of 57.2% and 36.8%, respectively.
- Factors negatively impacting progression-free survival included large tumor volume (≥3 cc) and brainstem location.
Conclusions:
- Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery is a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment for brain metastases from unknown primary sites.
- GKRS demonstrates significant potential in improving outcomes for this patient population.
