Radiotherapeutic treatment approaches for brain metastases

Brain metastases represent an important healthcare problem. Approximately 20%-40% of patients develop disease metastatic to the brain over the course of their cancer history. Palliative treatment of brain metastases requires for immediate control and, at least temporarily, a remission of the symptoms because many of the symptoms associated with brain metastases reduce the patient's quality of life. Radiation therapy is used to treat this clinical circumstance. The aim of this review is to assess the efficacy and the toxicity of radiotherapeutic treatment approaches and to provide treatment recommendation for brain metastases.