Outcome after craniotomy for recurrent cranial metastases

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Oncology
• Clinical Outcomes Research

Background:

• Cranial metastases represent a significant challenge in cancer care.
• Recurrent or progressive disease after initial treatment necessitates further therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the outcomes of patients undergoing re-do craniotomy for recurrent or progressive cranial metastases.
• To determine the clinical utility and survival benefit of repeat surgical intervention.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of 29 patients who underwent re-do craniotomy for cranial metastases between 2006 and 2013.
• Data collection from prospective databases and patient records, with pathological confirmation of metastases.
• Survival analysis using Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier curves.

Main Results:

• Median age at diagnosis was 57 years; 90% survived ≥3 months and 65.5% survived ≥6 months post-re-do surgery.
• Median survival after initial craniotomy was 18 months, and 7.6 months after re-do craniotomy.
• Complications were infrequent, with only two patients experiencing serious adverse events.

Conclusions:

• Re-do craniotomy is a feasible and potentially beneficial treatment option for select patients with recurrent cranial metastases.
• Repeat surgical intervention can offer survival advantages and palliation in the context of progressive brain disease.