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Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Gynecologic Cancer
Published on: April 17, 2012
Fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery for large brain metastases
Rodney E Wegner1, Jonathan E Leeman, Peyman Kabolizadeh
1*Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute †Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA.
American Journal of Clinical Oncology
|April 9, 2013
Summary
Fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a safe and feasible treatment for large brain metastases. This approach improves local control rates compared to single-fraction SRS with minimal toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Radiation Oncology
- Oncology
Background:
- Large brain metastases (>3 cm) pose a therapeutic challenge due to dose limitations in single-fraction stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), leading to suboptimal local control.
- Toxicity to adjacent tissues limits the efficacy of conventional SRS for larger lesions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy and safety of fractionated SRS for treating large brain metastases.
- To evaluate local control and overall survival rates in patients receiving fractionated SRS.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 36 patients with 37 large brain metastases treated with fractionated SRS.
- Median SRS dose of 24 Gy in 2-5 fractions; median treatment volume of 15.6 mL.
- Kaplan-Meier analysis for local control and overall survival estimation.
Main Results:
- Local failure observed in 29% of lesions with follow-up (6/21).
- Actuarial progression-free survival at 6 and 12 months was 73% and 63%, respectively.
- No acute or late complications related to SRS were reported.
Conclusions:
- Fractionated SRS is a feasible and safe treatment option for large brain metastases.
- Fractionated SRS demonstrates improved local control rates compared to single-fraction SRS.
- Fractionated SRS offers a favorable safety profile with reduced treatment-related toxicity.

