[Patients with brain metastases : The role of neurosurgery]

Brain metastases are the most frequent intracranial tumor entity and in most cases are a sign of advanced systemic cancer. Advances in neurosurgery, pathology, radiotherapy and oncology, especially with the introduction of immune and targeted systemic treatment, have significantly improved the prognosis for patients with brain metastases in recent years. Neurosurgical treatment plays a key role in symptom relief, reduction of the tumor burden and tissue acquisition for molecular analysis to enable patients to undergo postoperative radiotherapy and systemic therapy. The creation of an optimal patient-oriented treatment concept requires close interdisciplinary coordination and structured follow-up to make individualized and evidence-based treatment decisions.