Evidence-based guidelines for the management of brain metastases

The objective of this article is to present a concise summary of the most recent evidence-based guidelines in the management of metastatic brain tumors developed by the American Association of Neurologic Surgeons (AANS), Congress of Neurologic Surgeons (CNS), and the AANS/CNS Joint Section on Tumors in 2010. Target populations include patients with newly diagnosed metastases as well as recurrent or progressive lesions. The roles of radiotherapy, surgical resection, and stereotactic radiosurgery along with combination therapies are reviewed. Other topics include the role of chemotherapy, anticonvulsants, steroids, and investigational therapies.