Stereotactic radiosurgery for patients with metastatic brain tumors: development of a consensus radiosurgery...

Our objective was to provide guidelines about the use of stereotactic radiosurgery in patients with imaging identified metastatic tumors of the brain. The working group consisted of physicians and medical physicists from the staff of major medical centers that provide radiosurgery. Computerized and hand searches of published literature electronic clinical databases were performed. Members of a working group reviewed published literature and clinical experience on metastatic brain tumor radiosurgery to develop a draft guideline and provide scientific foundation for patients and physicians. The optimal dose range for volumetric conformal brain metastases radiosurgery has been largely established based on location and volume of the tumor. The relationship to whole brain radiation therapy has been evaluated. A clinical algorithm for the potential role of stereotactic radiosurgery for metastatic brain tumors was defined. The recommendations developed by this consensus guidelines methodology provide a framework for professional judgment and treatment selection alternatives.